Precision plant protection system development and efficiency testing
Precision plant protection systems leveraging GPS and satellite navigation optimize spraying technology, addressing inefficiencies in current methods and achieving enhanced resource management and sustainable farming outcomes.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/HU2023/000013
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-06
AI Technical Summary
Current plant protection methods often result in suboptimal application times and inefficient use of resources, leading to significant crop damage and environmental impact.
The development and implementation of precision plant protection systems utilizing GPS and satellite navigation for location-specific analysis and intervention, optimizing spraying technology by determining the optimal time, strength, and machine capacity for specific crop structures.
This approach increases the number of sprayable hours by about 70% during critical periods, enhances resource efficiency, reduces chemical use, and promotes sustainable farming practices, ultimately leading to increased yields and improved crop quality.
Abstract
Description
[0001] Patent description
[0002] 1) Title of invention:
[0003] Precision plant protection system development and efficiency testing
[0004] 2) Name of technical area:
[0005] Natural science - agricultural science
[0006] 3) Presentation of the state of the technology of which the applicant is acquainted with such a state of the art as close to the invention by presenting solutions, and possibly sources, to help understand the invention and assess its patentability:
[0007] According to modem interpretation, sustainable development satisfies the needs of present generations without endangering the interests of future generations. Approached from another angle: sustainable development requires the cultivation of plant varieties and the application of technologies that make it possible to improve average yields, but at the same time do not overload the environment and do not harm the diversity of wildlife and biodiversity.
[0008] The revision of active substances in plant protection products within the European Union will review active substances more widely, accurately and rigorously than ever before. After accession of Hungary to the European Union, our large number of active substances used was at 350 for plant protection and is now around 200. According to modem interpretation, sustainable development satisfies the needs of present generations without endangering the interests of future generations.
[0009] On the other hand, does sustainable development require the cultivation of plant varieties and the application of technologies that make it possible to improve average yields, but at the same time do not overload the environment and do not harm wildlife diversity and biodiversity? (Abraham et al. 2011, Novenyvedelem).
[0010] The control of plant pathogens is quite diverse. Resistance breeding is used against viruses, and the control (isolation) and destraction of virus-carrying insects (e.g. leaf lice). Chemical control against bacteria is currently ineffective. The use of antibiotics in agriculture is opposed by the health system, as it would promote the faster development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are dangerous to humans.
[0011] In the vast majority of plant protection procedures, the active substance is applied to the surface to be treated by spraying. Plant protection products are used diluted (most often with water) as spray liquid (solution, emulsion, suspension) on the one hand, and powder, granules or possibly fumigating preparations on the other. Plant protection work can only be carried out with a well-prepared, foolproof sprayer at optimal time and in good quality. Due to errors done earlier during the season, it is often not possible to carry out the defenses at an optimal time, which can lead to significant damage.
[0012] Nowadays, plant protection has become a very important and significant issue in professional commercial farming. Its importance is unquestionable, its impact on yields and thus on economic results is indisputable.
[0013] With the development of chemical industry, chemical developments and biological knowledge, chemical control became dominant for a while. This reached such a level that entire production systems were created based on industrial farming, natural factors were almost completely neglected in favor of chemical methods. Today we have reached a point where with the introduction of IPM (integrated pest management) and its more and more widespread application, the environmental load can be significantly reduced compared to the level of 30- 40 years ago. Our goal with plant protection is to protect crops from pests and pathogens as much as possible by keeping crops in optimal condition. We do all this in order to achieve higher crop levels and income, and it is our joint responsibility to do it with the lowest possible impact on the environment.
[0014] 4) Indication of the task to be solved with the invention:
[0015] The aim of the task to be solved with this invention and our research and development activity is to set up new precision pest management technologies for commonly grown crops. By applying precision technology, we can increase the number of sprayable hours by about 70% during the critical period from the point of view of plant protection. The resulting technological description can be the basis of plant protection processes implemented with modem technical tools, proving the advantages of modem systems from both economic and technological aspects, in terms of resource efficiency, chemical use and sustainability.
[0016] The aim is to harmonize the machines of plant protection, to comparably analyze and monitor the machine system of spraying technologies and to record data, in fact the spraying technology carried out at the optimal time, the determination of the optimal strength and machine capacity for a given crop structure.
[0017] Solving the task:
[0018] By using GPS, we can analyze the information obtained in a location-specific way and intervene based on the results. The term precision farming is used to think not at field level, but in patches of equal quality within the field using satellite navigation. Precision production means production adapted to local conditions and needs within the field, an integral part of which is a large number of reliable measurements and the related precisely regulated intervention. The fundamental reasons for the development and spreading application of this production technology are: the desire to increase the economy of production, as well as the need for environmental protection, environmentally sound farming and the need for a crop of controlled quality.
[0019] In order to be able to complete all tasks, we need to determine the optimal power and machine capacities. Our task is to carry out all the work at the optimum time with minimal machine connection.
[0020] One of the biggest problems is weather conditions. We need to look at the number of days or hours that can be worked in a 10-day period, as well as take into account technical failures and plant protection problems. During liquid fertilizer application and spraying, it is possible to carry out site-specific farming (field patch operations) by applying pre-prepared application maps. The activities carried out in this way can be accurately documented and subsequently evaluated over several years. During spraying, the machine's control system switches the dosing nozzles on and off self-controlled, even per nozzle (every 50 cm), observing field boundaries and planned dose amounts. This will eliminate almost 100% of unmanaged lanes and overlaps, which is of paramount importance from an environmental and economic point of view.
[0021] 6.) Details of one or more ways in which the invention is implemented in support of the scope of protection: In Hungary, in addition to the application of intensive farming, plant protection activities are of increasing importance in arable crop production. The expected number of interventions in spraying is increasing, the implementation of which at the optimal time is an increasing task for farmers. In addition to the use of coupled threads, the greatest opportunity is the introduction of precision technology both technologically and economically (economically). In both cases, it is of great importance to provide the special purpose machines with appropriate input materials. Failure to do so will greatly impair the effectiveness of spraying. Our results are perfectly adaptable to arable crop production in Hungary, as the fragmented field structure, the long distances between the fields, from the water sources and from the central sites of the companies pose real challenges in many farms.
[0022] The most efficient use of resources is becoming more and more important in Hungary. Surplus income has become a primary issue, the possibility of which is to optimize plant protection technology. Within this framework, yields can be increased while improving quality parameters. In the case of comparing traditional and precision pest management programmes, we can prepare the most important profitability maps for both areas, from which we can carry out break-even point and surplus income generation analyses.
[0023] The aim is to harmonize the machines of plant protection, to comparably analyze and monitor the machine system of spraying technologies and to record data, as in fact the spraying technology carried out at the optimal time, the determination of the optimal strength and machine capacity for a given crop structure.
[0024] 1. Analysis of spraying technology, conventional and precision spraying technology . comparative analysis of the machine system, planning plant protection capacity, Determination of the required spraying rate, Utilization of sprayers
[0025] 2. development of precision and logistic tools,
[0026] 3. coordination of plant protection machinery,
[0027] 4. Comparison of machine systems of spraying technologies, monitoring and data recording during the process:
[0028] 7.) An explanation of how the invention can be used in industry, if it is not apparent from the nature or description of the invention:
[0029] As described in the previous points, applicability in agriculture is substantiated.
[0030] 8) Description of the advantages of the invention compared to the state of current technologies
[0031] By applying precision technology, we can increase the number of sprayable hours by about 70% during the critical period from the point of view of plant protection. Using the available documentation data, production, utilization of working time and efficiency can be increased, which leads to the generation of additional income. In resource management, efficiency increases occur, through which yields increase, crop quality improves, unit costs decrease. In line with the local and agroecological conditions, we introduce additional top dressing activities in the sweet, commodity and silage maize technology. In addition, the additional yields and additional incomes generated by this additional technological operation taking into account the year conditions, the hybrids used and the date of application are determined.
[0032] Patent claims: Precision plant protection system development and efficiency testing
Claims
Patent claim(s):
1. Precision plant protection system development and efficiency testing
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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