Imagine a pesticide sprayer smart enough to only hit the target crop. What would that mean for the farmer's wallet and the cost of fresh produce? What would it mean for the rivers and streams near your orchard? View On Target, a video that shows how smart sprayer technology is helping farmers manage orchard pests with the benefits of:
- Substantially reduced pesticide use and cost
- Less pesticide movement to rivers and streams
- Full tree coverage
- Same efficacy as conventional sprayers
- Ease of use
- Valuable application data
Smart sprayer technology is based on the use of high frequency sound waves. An onboard computer directs sound waves toward trees. When sound waves are returned, a target is detected and the computer triggers nozzles to spray. When sound waves are not returned, a gap is identified, prompting the program to turn off the nozzles. This is one technology that can help farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices.
Editor - KARE Program and Facility Coordinator, IR-4 Field Research Center Director
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