Finished projects

Since 2002, UMA has been part of a research group with the Department of Agroforestry Engineering (EAGROF) of the University of Lleida, the Department of Rural and Agri-food Engineering (DIRAC) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia de València, the Center for Agricultural Mechanization of the Generalitat of Catalonia (CMA) and the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA). This multidisciplinary group has worked on the improvement of phytosanitary applications in tree crops, being the specialty of the UMA the vineyards.

Among the most interesting results of these projects are the design and development of a variable application of phytosanitary applications for vineyards and the development of DOSAVIÑA, software for the determination of the optimum volume of phytosanitary applications in vineyards.

The research activity is specified in several projects within the framework of R+D of the Ministry of Economy (MINECO) and the European Union`s Life programs. 

• GOPHYTOVID (2018-2020). The project aimed to minimize, in a demonstrative and real way, the use of phytosanitary products of chemical origin in viticulture and to evaluate the practical application of bioprotective alternatives in Spanish vineyards, through the application of existing technologies for the analysis of vegetation and/or vigor maps, and high-efficiency treatment equipment to optimize chemical treatments and minimize environmental impact and risk to people, reducing economic costs.

• FITOVID (2015-2018). The project, led by Neiker Tecnalia and the Basque public institutions, focused on the implementation of demonstrative and innovative strategies to reduce the use of phytosanitary products in viticulture. The objective of the project was to demonstrate the environmental impact of reducing the number of applications of phytosanitary products in the control of mildew and powdery mildew in the vineyard in the production of grapes, must and wine in different agroclimatic zones.

• AgVANCE (2015-2017). The project consisted of the design and evaluation of photon-based tools for agronomic management and the use of sustainable phytosanitary products in tree crops in the framework of precision agriculture. This included the development of a methodology for the quantification of the potential drift in air-blast sprayers, field tests for the quantification of the drift and the determination of the relationship between the characteristics of the vegetation and the volume recommendations in vineyards.

• SAFESPRAY (2011-2014). Integral strategies were studied for a safe pesticides use by means of accuracy spraying and drift monitoring in viticulture. Methods and technologies were investigated to guarantee a pesticide application that respects human health and the environment, in order to ensure the production of quality food.

• OPTIDOSA (2007-2010). Project to reduce the use of phytosanitary products and optimize the dosage in treatments on vineyards. The objectives were to adjust the application volume in tree crops by obtaining dose expression models and decision-making tools that explain them. We also worked on the pollution limitation caused by treatments, with special attention to water pollution due to spray drift.

• PULVEXACT (2002-2005). Implementation of a decision system to adjust the dose of the phytosanitary product in vineyard crops based on the characteristics of the vegetation. In this project, systems to parameterize the vegetation were studied, different application volumes of plant protection products were tested and prototypes were designed for the execution of better precise applications. 

Evaluation of a new SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) instrument to detect soil moisture.

The HYDROSOIL (Ground based SAR experiment for soil moisture measurements) project, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and developed during 2020, has aimed to demonstrate the detection of soil moisture and vegetation parameters under conditions using a stationary fully polyarimetric SAR (GB-PolSAR) instrument to simulate the acquisition frequency of the HYDROTERRA mission.

Evaluation of the improvement of the efficiency of phytosanitary treatments in tomato cultivation in Baix Llobregat. 

This demonstration project of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Departament of Agriculture, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació) aimed to identify and demonstrate a more efficient technique for applying phytosanitary products for growing tomato plants outdoors than current techniques, reducing the volume of broth applied. 

More information in this video. 

Evaluation of a new spray treatment control system

Pulverizadores Fede has developed the H3O project within the framework of the SME Instrument. The H3O project is being developed in collaboration with the UMA, for the evaluation of this technology in fruit and vineyards, and the IVIA or citrus research. This project developed an intelligent electronic control system for sprayers to improve the efficiency of the treatments, by reducing pesticides and fuel costs, and for the correct performance of them, having a positive impact on the environment.

In collaboration with the Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentario of the University of Torino, an analysis was made of the droplet size in different air outlets used in air assisted sprayers. Work has also been carried out on the development of a methodology for estimating the potential drift in orchard and boom sprayers, with the help of Hardi and Pulverizadores Fede.