Details of the project EPI

Increase the quality of blackcurrant by reducing the use of plant protection products in the cultivation process through the use of selective spraying technology

01-03-2023 do 31-12-2024

3 614 348,46

EFRROW - 2 073 801,59 PLN; national public funds - 1 185 355,41 PLN

www.owoce40.pl

The aim of the operation is to develop and implement technology for automatic identification of pests on currant plantations and spot spraying with a selective preparation, which translates into lower saturation of currant fruits with plant protection products harmful to health.

Implementation of 6 stages: 1. Preparation of equipment and team for research work, 2. Laboratory tests and first prototype constructions, 3. Development of a technical design of prototypes for two devies, 4. Construction of prototypes, 5. Conducting research on plantations, 6. Verifivation of technology effectiveness and promotion of the project.

From 1 January 2014, all professional users of plant protection products are obliged to apply the principles of integrated pest management in accordance with the provisions of Art. 14 of the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2009/128/EC and the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of Europe No. 1107/2009 of October 21, 2009. The basis of the integrated protection system is the maximum use of non-chemical methods, which should be supplemented with the use of pesticides when the expected economic losses caused by pests are hihger than the cost of the treatment. In accordance with the general priciples of integrated pest management set out in Annex III to Directive 2009/128/EC, non-chemical methods (biological, physical, breeding) should be preferred over chemical methods. In the face of radically tihjtening environmental protection policy and changing rules regarding the chemical protection of plants for the sake of greening agriculture and incre

We observe a very high interest in the planned result of works among end users - fruit growers, as well as intermediate users - sprayers manufacturers. It is planned to implemet the obtained result after the completion of the project on a larger scale (not only for use on the currant plantation). The activities carried out will be aimed at obtaining patent protection for the developed solutions. We will take care of conducting promotional activities among fruit producers and producers of orchard sprayers. We want to increase the recognition of the "Owoce 4.0" project also outside Poland.

Reducing the amount of spray applied: a) savings on the purchase of a chemical preparation, b) saving water used for spraying, c) savings of the sprayer resulting from short, only spot spraying, d) lower impact of chemical preparations on the environment, e) fruit with less spray residue.

The expected result of the operation will be the development of a new technology to improve the quality of currant fruit, which will enable a significant reduction of plant protection products. Effects of actibities undertaken as part of the operation: - development of a technology dedicated to currant plantations, - an intelligent device for real-time and on-line monitoring of blackcurrant bush cultivation, - improvement of the quality of currant fruit by a significant reduction in the content of plant protection products, - organization of a conference summarizing the results of the project, - organization of an industry conference for currant producers combined with a field visit to the plantation.

plant cultivation and horticulture