📄 📢 Publication of First-Year Results in Agronomy!

LINK: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122703

TITLE: Aerial Spray Application of Plant Protection Products for Grapevine Downy Mildew Control: Efficacy and Canopy Deposit Evaluation in Semi-Field Trials

ABSTRACT

A growing interest in aerial drone applications has led to the European regulatory proposal 2022/0196/COD, which considers aerial spraying in steep-slope vineyards safer for human health and the environment. Nevertheless, disease control in perennial crops by aerial applications remains under-investigated. This study aims to identify suitable Plant Protection Products (PPPs) for aerial application in vineyards and analytical methods to quantify PPP deposits. A standardized protocol for controlling grapevine downy mildew was developed, testing Metalaxyl-M and copper-based fungicides’ efficacy and foliar depositions. As Italian law prohibits aerial application, an Unmanned Aerial Spray System (UASS) constrained to the ground simulated aerial spray. Leaves were sampled on predetermined days after treatment application for both fungicides’ efficacy evaluation and deposit quantification. Metalaxyl-M applied from UASS showed an efficacy comparable to ground sprays at pre- and post-flowering (≈70%), while copper efficacy from UASS was lower (≈47–63%) at each stage. Aerial sprayings resulted in higher deposits in the upper canopy, potentially explaining the lower efficacy of copper fungicides, while Metalaxyl-M’s systemicity partially compensated for the uneven vertical distribution, improving disease control. This study established a methodology for aerial PPP testing in vineyards, further studies are needed to confirm these findings across different years and locations. 

📄 📢 Publication of First-Year Results in Smart Agricultural Technology! LINK: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.101532

TITLE: Assessing the potential efficacy and efficiency of UASS vine-targeted spray application across growth stages

ABSTRACT

Optimising of operational parameters of unmanned aerial spray systems (UASSs) remains a challenge for row crops. This paper presents the results of field trials conducted in a vineyard (Vitis vinifera cv. Ruché) using an innovative customised spray system, equipped with hollow-cone prototype nozzles (conventional and air inclusion) with a narrow 30° spray angle, mounted on a DJI Matrice 600 Pro. One way-band flights were done above a vine row at two UASS flight speeds (1.5 and 3.0 m s−1) across early, middle, and late vine growth stages. Canopy deposit, in-field ground losses, spray quality (coverage and deposit density), and spray application efficiency were measured to evaluate the tested parameters effects. Results showed that canopy deposit was mainly affected by the growth stage (14 % more deposit in late stage with respect to early), whereas the operational parameters influenced the spray quality and its vertical homogeneity in the canopy. Spray application efficiency depended on the interaction between growth stage and nozzle technology with conventional nozzles performing better at the early stage (14 % more), while air inclusion nozzles outperformed at the late stage (32 % more). The 1.5 m s−1 UASS flight speed improved coverage uniformity even if canopy deposits gains were modest. A not negligible spray amount reached the ground (at least 50 %). Through a cross-study benchmark versus 60° nozzles, it was observed that pairing a 30° angle with air inclusion nozzles doubled canopy deposit (+100 %), whereas 30° conventional nozzles reduced canopy deposit (-37 %) and increased ground losses (+87 %). 

March 17, 2025

📄 📢 Publication of First-Year Results in Il Corriere Vinicolo!

Issue no. 10/2025 of Il Corriere Vinicolo (pp. 20-21) features some of the first-year results from the 3E-UAVspray project, presented in the article titled "Droni per l'applicazione di prodotti fitosanitari in vigneto" (Italian language).

Tests conducted in Piedmont (Italy) have demonstrated the potential of this technology to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of crop protection, particularly in areas that are difficult to access with traditional machinery. In 2025, the project will continue with new field trials to assess the biological efficacy of aerial-based treatments done with uncrewed aerial spray systems (UASSs).

March 12, 2025

📄 📢 ATTENZIONE!! Aperte le registrazioni per partecipare al primo workshop del Progetto 3E-UAVspray!

Gent.me/i, 

con la presente vi invitiamo al workshop dal titolo "INNOVAZIONE E PROSPETTIVE NEL SETTORE DEI TRATTAMENTI FITOSANITARI CON DRONI", che si terrà esclusivamente ONLINE, mercoledì 26 marzo, dalle 10:00 alle 12:00.

 Il workshop è organizzato dai partner del progetto PRIN 2022 PNRR 3E-UAVspray (Operative solutions for efficient, effective and environmental-friendly UAV-spray applications in vineyards; https://www.3e-uavspray.unito.it/) e vede la collaborazione del Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali ed Alimentari dell'Università di Torino (responsabile scientifico Dott. Marco Grella) con l'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, sede di Piacenza (responsabile scientifico Dott.ssa Nicoleta Suciu).

L'obiettivo del workshop è quello di presentare i risultati ottenuti nel corso del primo anno di ricerca dal progetto 3E-UAVspray, nell'ambito della difesa delle colture con droni aerei. Inoltre, il workshop sarà l’occasione per un aggiornamento sugli aspetti normativi e sulle innovazioni tecnologiche a supporto del settore dei trattamenti fitosanitari.

Il programma della giornata e i dettagli degli interventi sono riportati nella locandina in allegato.

Per partecipare all'evento, che è gratuito, è necessario effettuare la registrazione prima del 24 marzo compilando il GForm disponibile al seguente link: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18nKD8pQh7nqNHcIpRIlnmDF125vblP5HIASmpjGWJiI/edit

Dottori Agronomi e Dottori Forestali: l’evento è in corso di accreditamento, sono stati richiesti 0,250 CFP come da vigente Regolamento per la Formazione Professionale Continua – CONAF

Link alla videoconferenza:

https://unito.webex.com/unito/j.php?MTID=m166a49daf5af84e94535d253d3fb89ef

Per ulteriori informazioni, siamo a disposizione al seguente indirizzo e-mail: eric.mozzanini@unito.it

Ringraziamo fin da ora per la vostra partecipazione e collaborazione.

Il Comitato Organizzatore

September 11, 2024

📄 📢 Exciting News from the 3E-UAVspray Project!

We are proud to announce that the preliminary findings from the 3E-UAVspray project, based on the activities carried out during the 2024 growing season, were presented by Margherita Furiosi from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) at the XVII Symposium on Pesticide Chemistry – “Advances and New Challenges,” hosted by UCSC in Piacenza.

A special congratulations to Margherita for winning second place for the best poster presentation with her work titled: "Could UAV spray applications be an innovative solution for heroic vineyards?" This recognition highlights the project's innovative approach and its potential to revolutionize vineyard management in challenging terrains.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of sustainable agriculture!