Efficacy of High-efficiency Formula Pesticides for Controlling Sesamia inferens Walker and Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner

[Objectives]This study was conducted to screen high-efficiency formula pesticides and precise and efficient application techniques for the prevention and control of Sesamia inferens Walker and Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner.[Methods]Field efficacy trials were conducted using different combinations of 70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam seed treatment dispersible powder and 46%monosultap·Bacillus thuringiensis wettable powder.[Results]70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam ZF 450 g/hm^(2)+46%monosultap·B.thuringiensis WP 2250 g/hm^(2)had good control effects on both S.inferens and C.lanigera,so it was an ideal high-efficiency formula pesticide for controlling sugarcane S.inferens and C.lanigera.From January to May,combining with new plant or perennial root cultivation management,70%directed enhanced thiamethoxam ZF 450 g/hm^(2)can be evenly spread on sugarcane ditches and sugarcane stumps after being well mixed with fertilizers applied per hectare,and covered with soil in a timely manner,and during the peak incubation period of the first and second generation of S.inferens eggs from March to May,46%monosultap·B.thuringiensis WP 2250 g/hm^(2)was sprayed to the leaf surface in the mixture with water 675 kg with an electric backpack or a motorized sprayer.In such a way,the control efficacy on dead heart seedlings could reach over 89.8%,and that on C.lanigera could reach 100%.Meanwhile,it could effectively and concurrently control thrips,and the increases in yield and sugar content could reach 29310 kg/hm^(2)and 5.9 percentage points,respectively.[Conclusions]The promotion and application of the formula pesticide could achieve precise application and control of sugarcane pests,and improvement of sugarcane quality and planting efficiency,and help promote green prevention and control of sugarcane diseases and pests and the sustained high-quality development of the sugar industry.

Evaluation of Control Effects against Sugarcane Pests：A New Sustained-release and Long-lasting Pesticide and Convenient and Efficient Pesticide Application Technology

[Objective]The paper was to screen a new ideal sustained-release,long-lasting and low-toxic pesticide and convenient and efficient pesticide application technology for controlling Ceratovacuna lanigera and Baliathrips serratus. [Method]2% Imidacloprid GR were selected and applied in the soil for field efficacy trial. [Result] The optimum dosage of 2% imidacloprid GR was 30 kg/hm^2（ active ingredient 600 g）,which can be mixed with fertilizer（ 30 kg pesticide and 40-80 kg fertilizer per hm^2） once combined with sugarcane planting management or big ridging during February and June. The control effects against C. lanigera and B. serratus could be more than 98. 2% and 81. 1%,respectively. The actual yield and sugar content in various pesticide treatments were increased by 33 390 kg/hm^2 and 6. 6% respectively compared to blank control. [Conclusion]2% imidacloprid GR has good control effects on C. lanigera and B. serratus. It is a new pesticide with ideal sustained-release,long-lasting and low-toxin effects against C. lanigera and B. serratus. Therefore,it could be used alternatively with other pesticides,to delay production and development of drug resistance.

Effect of Reducing Application of Chemical Fertilizers and Chemical Pesticides on Physiological Traits,Yield and Quality of Radish

This paper studied the effect of reducing application of chemical fertilizer,increasing application of functional organic fertilizer and trace elements and fully using biological pesticides on physiological traits,yield and quality of radish. The results showed that applying functional organic fertilizer and trace elements and fully using biological pesticides could help to significantly improve the radish fleshy root yield,increase soluble sugar and vitamin C content,reduce crude fiber and nitrate content,but had no significant influence on radish moisture content,glucosinolates and chlorpyrifos content in organophosphorus pesticides.

Control Effect Evaluation of 70% Thiamethoxam ZF against Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner and Baliathrips serratus Kobus on Sugarcane

[Objective] The paper was to provide scientific basis for popularization and application of 70% Thiamethoxam ZF. [Method] 70% Thiamethoxam ZF was selected and applied in the soil for controlling Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner and Baliathrips serratus Kobus. [ Result ] 70% Thiamethoxam ZF had good con-rol effect against C. lanigera and B. serratus. The optimum dosage of 70% Thiamethoxam ZF was 450 g/hm^2 （effective ingredients 315 g）. 70% Thiamethoxam ZF （ dosage per hm^2 ） mixed with the regular fertilizer （ dosage per hm^2 ） should be applied together in sugarcane planting and management from February to June. The control effects against C. lanigera and B. serratus were above 98.4% and 82.9% respectively. The actual yield and sugar content were increased by more than 34 290 kg/hm^2 and 6.8% respectively compared to blank control. [ Conclusion] 70% Thiamethoxam ZF was a new ideal pesticide with characteristics of sustained- release, long-lasting and low-toxic for controlling C. lanigera and B. serratus, and should be applied widely in the sugarcane planting area.

Performances evaluation of four typical unmanned aerial vehicles used for pesticide application in China

In recent years,unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)for plant protection have achieved rapid development in China.In order to test and evaluate the performances of pesticides application and development status of UAVs in China,four typical UAV models were selected to test the spraying coverage,penetrability,droplets density and the work efficiency.The results showed that the deposition and spraying liquid coverage were inconsistent both in lateral and longitudinal direction.Under the condition of the similar amount of spray volume and operation parameters,the volume median diameter(VMD)of the droplet was negatively correlated with the coverage density.The failure of the UAVs for plant protection mainly took up on the blockage of nozzle,transfusion tube and the liquid pump.The failure rate of UAVs took up 3.73%-4.36%of the total working time.The operation of UAVs during ground service took up 50%of the total working time,the preparation work took up 10%,and the route planning took up around 10%,while net operation time only took up around 30%.On the whole,the high efficiency of UAV was not fully achieved;the daily operated area was not in a satisfactory level now.The spraying performances of UAVs still need further improvement.

Development of real-time laser-scanning system to detect tree canopy characteristics for variable-rate pesticide application

Improving pesticide application efficiency is increasingly important in orchard spraying.In this study,a laser-scanning system was designed to acquire gridding volumes of a tree to quantify the geometry characteristics of the tree canopy in real-time.A laser-scanning sensor mounted on a linear guide was utilized to measure the structure of a target tree canopy.A computer was used to receive measurement data from the laser scanner and obtain the movement distance of the laser-scanning sensor from a controller.An algorithm written with VC#program was designed to calculate gridding volumes of trees by recognizing valid measurement data from the laser scanner.Laboratory evaluations were conducted on three kinds of regular objects,and the maximum relative errors of section volumes of the cuboid,triangular prism and cylinder objects were 3.3%,7.9%and 9.4%,respectively,which illustrated that the algorithm could calculate the section volumes in different parts of the objects with high accuracy.A conifer tree and an apple tree were chosen to verify detecting accuracy of the laser-scanning system at variable speeds and grid sizes.The variation coefficients of total volumes for each kind of the tree were 0.078 and 0.041,respectively,which indicated that the laser-scanning system could be applied to provide the gridding volumes of different canopy densities in real-time with good reliability for guiding a variable-rate sprayer.

Improving energy efficiency of apple production by reduced application of pesticides

A large number of apple orchards are treated over 20 times during the vegetation period with high application rates(over 1000 L/hm^(2))or medium application rates(500-1000 L/hm^(2))of pesticides which require significant energy input.Experimental research was carried out in the Serbian region of Vojvodina with the aim to show the possibilities to reduce energy usage in apple production by reducing pesticide application rates(200-500 L/hm^(2))and smaller controlled number of treatments with pesticides while maintaining the biological efficiency of apple chemical protection.Research results showed that the cumulative life cycle energy demand of apple production in Vojvodina,assuming a typical 22 annual treatments and relatively high pesticide application rate(1150 L/hm^(2)),was 48 GJ/hm^(2)and energy output was 94 GJ/hm^(2).Reduced number of treatments and lower pesticide application rates have a favorable impact on energy inputs associated with diesel fuel,machinery,chemicals,water and electricity consumption and usage,whereas other energy inputs remain unchanged.The energy input for 12 treatments with pesticide application rates of 381 L/hm^(2)was 36 GJ/hm^(2),which is a 25%reduction in comparison to 22 treatments with a pesticide application rate of 1150 L/hm^(2).Reduced number of treatments and pesticide application rate increased the energy use efficiency from 1.96 to 2.61,energy productivity from 0.82 kg/MJ to 1.09 kg/MJ,and net energy from 46 GJ/hm^(2)to 58 GJ/hm^(2).Results also suggest that applying the correct IPM approach can easily lead to a strong reduction in the number of treatments and a major energy saving.

Determination of eighty-two pesticides and application to screening pesticides in cannabis growing facilities

Determination of pesticides in cannabis facilities is increasingly important as medicinal and recreational uses of cannabis products expand rapidly. We report a method involving wipe sampling, liquid chromatography separation, and tandem mass spectrometry, which enables determination of 82 pesticides out of the 96 regulated by Health Canada. To demonstrate an application of the method, we sampled and measured pesticides in two cannabis growing facilities, representing a non-certified and a certified site. We detected 41 pesticides in surface wipe samples at the non-certified site and 6 at the certified site. This study provides the first evidence showing pesticide occurrence on common surfaces in cannabis growing facilities and points to a need for routine monitoring and strict control of pesticide use in cannabis facilities.

Recent development of unmanned aerial vehicle for plant protection in East Asia

Recently,the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV)for pesticide application has been reported against a wide range of crops with promising results in East Asian countries such as Japan,South Korea and China.This UAV-based application technology for agrochemicals is considered as a high efficiency alternative to the conventional manual spray operations and a low-cost choice as compared to the classical manned aerial application.However,the technology adoption rate and the designed optimal sprayer suitable for drone application for small scale farm remains at the development stage in China and also in Japan.This paper reports the current status of drone pesticide application in China and makes comparisons with its neighbor countries Japan and South Korea in terms of different UAV platforms and their implementation in plant protection for different crops.Challenges and opportunities for future development of UAV-based pesticide application technology are also discussed.

Design and performance evaluation of a variable-rate orchard sprayer based on a laser-scanning sensor

To improve the precision spraying strategy and reduce excessive pesticide application in orchards,an air-assisted sprayer integrated with a laser-scanning system was developed to realize the toward-target variable-rate spraying.In the spray control system,a method of calculating canopy gridding volumes was designed to ensure that the canopy was divided into a uniform grid size,a variable-rate spray model was used in the flow rate decision software to control the spray output according to the canopy gridding volumes and travel speed,and a method of saving and accessing spray data was used to control the spray delay.The effects of different grid sizes and travel speeds on the spray performance were evaluated by quantifying spray coverage uniformity inside tree canopies.The results showed that spray coverage uniformity declined with increasing grid width from 0.14 to 0.28 m although the mean spray coverage on each target location showed no significant differences.Additionally,there were no significant variations in mean spray coverage at speeds of 1.0,1.2 and 1.4 m/s for a tested tree of 1.6 m width and at any experimental speeds for a tested tree of 1.3 m width,which indicated that the variable-rate sprayer could provide good spray coverage uniformity under various travel speeds with a canopy size limitation.Compared with the same sprayer without the variable-rate spray function,the intelligent sprayer prototype realized effective toward-target spraying and avoided overspraying while providing sufficient spray coverage.

Design and test of target-oriented profile modeling of unmanned aerial vehicle spraying

Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)are a new frontier in specialized plant protection equipment,which will increasingly be utilized in modern sustainable agricultural applications.The use of UAVs retrofitted with new structures for spraying allows precision pesticide applications on fruit canopies,which have positive effects on pesticide reduction,along with fruit quality and production improvement.In this work,a precision toward-target device(BUAV)was established through profiling of fruit branch modeling,along with a quality analysis of the coverage in a pear orchard compared to a conventional multi-rotor UAV(CUAV).Coverage under different canopy sections and on both sides of leaves was evaluated using Polyvinyl Chloride card samplers.The results indicate that coverage of the BUAV was 0.98%and 1.41%on the abaxial of the lower leaves interior of the canopy,which was 2.38 and 3.14 times higher than that of the CUAV.The BUAV tended to increase coverage in the course-parallel direction,while both the course-parallel and vertical directions increased the deposition coverage on the abaxial side of the interior canopy leaves by 1.8 times and 2.1 times compared to the CUAV,respectively.Simultaneously,the BUAV increased the proportion of droplets deposited on the canopy and reduced ground loss.The BUAV can improve the distribution of the wind field within the canopy effectively and improve the droplet deposition on the reverse side of the interior bore blade.