Implementation of novel spraying techniques in vineyards

Abstract

Decreasing pesticide use, improving spray coverage of crops, and reducing offtarget losses are crucial for improving the environmental performance of pest management. The goal of the current Dissertation was to test and evaluate the effectiveness of modern pesticide application technologies, with a focus on lowering the volume rate and amount of pesticides used in vineyards. Chapter 1 evaluated spray coverage by a high-volume sprayer (1400 L ha-1 , HVS1400), an air-assisted, low volume knapsack sprayer (150 L ha-1 , LVS150), and a motorized knapsack dust applicator modified to spray liquid formulations (250 L ha-1 , CS250). Mean spray coverage on leaves or bunches was below 21% for CS250, and above 40 and 55% for LVS150 and HVS1400, respectively. Downy mildew leaf infection was below 5% throughout the season, with a significant effect of sprayer, time and an interaction between sprayer and time (P < 0.001). Grape berry moth damage did not differ between sprayers and the untreated control.