Tests conducted by Syngenta in olive groves, in collaboration with Castillo de Canena and Pulverizadores Fede, confirm an improvement in the quality and efficiency of treatments using the AIs technology.
Syngenta, a leading company in crop health and vegetable improvement, carried out field tests applying crop protection treatments with the Pulverizadores Fede AIs system in an olive grove located at the Finca Cortijo Guadiana. This plantation belongs to Grupo Castillo de Canena, a benchmark company in the production and commercialization of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
The AIs system, developed by Pulverizadores Fede, is an integrated agronomic solution for specialty crops based on image processing and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Installed on a tractor, AIs can “see” the state and vigor of crops by capturing high-detail, temporally precise images using 3D cameras. The processing of these images allows for real-time adaptation of spraying, enabling individualized nozzle opening and closing for each tree based on the canopy’s configuration.
Precision technology for improved foliar applications
The objective of the trials was to test this precision technology as a solution to improve the quality and efficiency of foliar applications of phytosanitary products in intensive and traditional olive groves. For this study, treatments were performed using a conventional sprayer, an ultrasonic sprayer, and a Fede sprayer equipped with H3O technology linked to the AIs system. Syngenta’s tracer was used to evaluate the percentage of coverage and deposition on the crop. This tracer allows quantification of spray deposits on different parts of the tree canopy and the ground.
Spraying volume and soil deposition reduction
The results confirm that performing phytosanitary treatments with the AIs system minimizes plant protection product loss and improves coverage and uniformity of deposition on the tree canopy. In addition to maintaining sufficient product levels for effective treatment, the AIs system achieved up to a 67% reduction in spray volume and up to a 66% decrease in soil deposition.
About the LIFE-AIs Project
The AIs system has received support from the European Union’s LIFE programme to develop the project under the acronym LIFE-AIs (Project 101074540 — LIFE21-ENV-ES-Life-AIs). The consortium includes Fede (project leader), Agerpix as a technological partner, and major specialty crops growers such as Castillo de Canena (olive groves), Dominio Fournier D.O. Ribera de Duero (vineyards) belonging to the González Byass Group, as well as Agroptimum (pistachios). The technology is currently being tested and refined in plantations owned by the consortium members, aiming to expedite the transfer of innovation to the agricultural sector. For more information, visit the official project’s website.
With the contribution of the European Union’s LIFE Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action, under grant agreement Project 101074540 — LIFE21-ENV-ES-Life-AIs.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.