Crop adapted spray application (CASA) - precise and safe plant protection in fruit growing

The Crop Adapted Spray Application (CASA) system for orchards integrates disease detection based on reflectance imaging, crop identification with ultrasonic sensors, wind measurement and DGPS navigation. Through the automatic adjustment of spray application parameters according to the crop characteristics, wind situation and sprayer position the CASA sprayer performs variable rate application of pesticides with drift mitigation scenarios in order to reduce pesticide input and hence improve the quality and safety of fruit and protect sensitive areas (e.g. surface water) from contamination. The spray savings between 31% and 82% as well as improved spray distribution within crop canopy and reduced spray loss to ground were achieved, without affecting on-target deposition and disease control efficacy, compared to conventional spray application. The drift mitigation scenarios, being different combinations of nozzles and airflow settings, showed more than 80% drift mitigation potential without significant decrease of spray deposition in the tree canopies.