Electrostatic spraying technologies will be exhibited at Hortitec

Embrapa Meio Ambiente (Jaguariúna, SP) participates in the 23a. Hortitec – Technical Exhibition on Horticulture, Protected Cultivation and Intensive Crops, from June 22nd to 24th, in Holambra, SP, with technologies to improve electrostatic spraying, which increase the efficiency of controlling pests and diseases in crops. Furthermore, these technologies, by optimizing the deposition of agrochemicals on biological targets, reduce the effects of insecticides on non-target organisms.

The direct benefit of increasing pest and disease control efficiency with electrostatic spraying is that it optimizes the deposition of pesticides and reduces losses to the soil by up to 20 times when compared to conventional spraying.

According to researcher Aldemir Chaim, creator of the technologies, "as important as applying the correct product following the recommendations of a professional, is ensuring that the applied product reaches the desired biological targets in the necessary quantity. The absence of this concern can result in negative impacts on the man, the environment and the product", he highlights.

Three technological solutions for droplet electrification will be presented: the electric and electrostatic sprayer, the kit for electrification of hydraulic nozzles and the electrostatic pneumatic sprayer nozzle – innovations that cover different application possibilities according to the needs of each crop, small and medium and large size, which expands its use.

Drops Software
And to control the yield and quality of spraying and the quantity of pesticides applied to the crop, it developed together with Embrapa Informática (Campinas, SP) the Gotas Software. The program aims to help farmers control yield, the quality of their spraying and the quantity of pesticides applied.

The software offers several deposition parameters such as size and density of deposited droplets. This allows the farmer to decide on the best application settings, such as the best combination of spray nozzles, syrup consumption and tractor travel speed, directly benefiting the operations' performance.

The technique consists of using cards made from water-sensitive paper that are affixed to the upper, middle and lower parts of the plants. After spraying, the cards are collected and then scanned for use on a computer or photographed using a cell phone. The objective is to promote an improvement in the deposition and distribution of the pesticide in plants. Thus, the researchers emphasize, "the applied product is not wasted, generating savings for the producer."

Gotas is free to access and is available on Agrolivre Network. In addition, producers will also have access to the user manual, which provides guidance on the technical specifications necessary for operation.

Under the coordination of Embrapa Hortaliças (Brasília, DF), other Company Units (Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Products and Market, Instrumentation, Agricultural IT and Environment) share the fair space, with the first three based in Brasília and the others in the São Paulo cities of São Carlos, Campinas and Jaguariúna, respectively.

More information about the fair: http://hortitec.com.br/site/