Project start: 01.10.2021
Project end: 30.09.2024
Sponsor: Development agency for agribusiness, Federal Office for Agriculture and Food

The joint research project is focusing on saving plant protection products (ppps) in orchards and viticulture. For this purpose, a sprayer classification for saving pesticides will be developed based on deposit and efficacy trials. Measurements of deposit with different sprayers should be the cornerstone for the classification. In order to compare different devices, comparable and reproducible measuring results are required. Therefore, artificial leaf walls should be used for the deposit measurements. In order to validate the models, deposit measurements in natural orchards and vineyards should be conducted. After successful validation of the model, a new method for deposit measurements will be defined for orchards and viticulture. At the same time, efficacy trials are carried out in orchards and viticulture. The aim here is to check whether equipment with above-average efficiency in deposition can be used with reduced application rates and therefore comparable biological efficacy with respect to standard applications is ensured. The aim of the project is to establish an equipment classification from which reduced application rates can be derived. With the aimed classification even equipment without special technical configuration to recycle ppps, can be categorized in terms of pesticide saving potential. This classification shall be taken into account for the risk assessment in the context of plant protection product approval.