Selective spraying is revolutionizing the way farmers manage their crops, offering a more efficient and sustainable approach to weed control.

Traditionally, the spraying of pesticides is done indiscriminately, covering the entire crop area. However, this approach not only wastes valuable resources but can also have negative impacts on the environment. Selective spraying emerges as an innovative solution to these challenges, allowing for a more precise application of pesticides.

 

How it is carried out the spraying selective? 

 

Selective spraying can be done basically in two ways: by means of the preliminary map of the harmful plants of the area to be applied or by means of the identification of the harmful plants in real time.

The prior mapping method is carried out using drones or satellite images, where the acquired images are processed, identifying points with the presence of weeds and generating a prescription map, which is exported to the sprayer monitor. , which is then read during application.

In the real-time weed identification method, sensors are used that are placed directly on the spray bars, which have the ability to read the soil and apply the pesticide in real time. It can be stated that this method has some advantages in relation to the method with prior mapping, since the time to carry out the application is considerably shorter, as in this case there is no time for acquiring images and processing them.

Furthermore, the savings on pesticides with the use of sensors tend to be greater, as weed detection occurs on a beak-by-beak basis, with application only where invasive plants are actually present.

 

How does the SaveFarm selective spraying system work?

 

SaveFarm technology uses the method of identifying weeds in real time, activating the valves that will be responsible for applying the jets only to the target plant.

Basically, when installing SaveFarm, the anti-drip valves are removed and PWM solenoid valves are placed in their place, which are activated by the sensors when weeds are detected. The sensors are installed every meter of the spray bar and can control one to four PWM valves, depending on the spacing between the machine's nozzles.

When it comes to selective spraying, there are basically three ways that the system can work: desiccation of the area (pre-planting), post-emergence (post-planting) and minimum rate.

In pre-planting spraying mode, from the moment the sensors identify the presence of plants, the valves are activated, using artificial intelligence, which activates the jets of the respective spray nozzles. The algorithm that the sensors are integrated into is capable of differentiating plants from any other type of material, such as soil and straw (figure 1).

 

Figure 1. Application in desiccation mode (pre-planting).

 

 

In post-emergence mode, this is when the application is carried out in the midst of the already emerged crop, with the spray jet being activated only on the weed plants, making the distinction between what is an invasive and a cultivated plant, in addition to soil and straw (figure two).

 

Thus, the operation is quite similar, the difference is that the valves will only be activated when the sensors detect the presence of weeds, unlike the pre-planting spraying mode, in which the valves will be activated whenever the sensors detect any type of weed. of live plant.

 

 

Figure 2. Application in post-emergence mode.

 

 

Finally, in minimum rate mode, the system works basically as in the previous ones, however, when there is no presence of weeds, or when they are smaller than the target plant, the system makes a lower dosage than that desired for the crop. target plant, thus being able to work with a variable rate application. 

 

 

Figure 3. Application at minimum rate.

In addition to the methods mentioned above, with SaveFarm it is also possible to save on herbicides in the pre-harvest desiccation of soybeans, configuring the system not to apply to plants that are already at the ideal moisture point for harvesting (it is also possible to apply a partial dose ) and apply a full dose to plants that are not yet at the point of physiological maturity, that is, they require the application of a desiccant to anticipate harvest.

To make it easier for the machine operator, the SaveFarm selective spraying system has a user-friendly interface located in the sprayer cabin, from which it is possible to select the desired operating mode.

 

In addition to the operating modes reported above, SaveFarm has different functionalities for spraying in a total area, which will bring more advantages to the rural producer, mainly related to the quality of application, such as reduction of drift, homogeneity of drops and better rate control. of application. 

 

With a user-friendly and easy-to-use interface, the SaveFarm selective spraying system makes the weed control process more efficient, economical and sustainable, representing a significant advance in modern agriculture.

Speak to one of our representatives now and find out more.