6 Mar 2009
Unit:
Plant Research International
The leaf-dependent spraying system Canopy Density Spraying, developed by Jan van de Zande of Plant Research International (PRI), has won the Innovation Award Sustainable Plant Protection. On 5 March Hans Alders handed Van de Zande a cheque of € 2 000.-. The system, which only sprays when leaf mass is present, may result in a 90% saving on product, making a major contribution to reducing environmental pressure. The system is widely applicable, also in crops where important environmental gains can be achieved.
The covenant partners LNV, VROM, LTO, Vewin, Nefyto, Agrodis, Plantum and UvW wish to stimulate sustainable plant protection by awarding the Innovation Award Sustainable Plant Protection. The jury, headed by Hans Alders, chair of the Taskforce Biodiversity and natural resources, (voorzitter van de Taskforce Biodiversiteit en natuurlijke hulpbronnen) nominated three entries and awarded the prizes as follows:
- 1st prize: Canopy Density Spraying, Crop-adapted plant protection technique developed by PRI.
- 2nd prize: Trianum, Biological plant protection product and plant strengthener developed by Koppert Biological Systems.
- 3rd prize: Uvc-Meto, Automatic spray trolley for application of ultraviolet light in greenhouse crops developed by Berg Product BV.
The Award was handed out during the Information Day of Clean Resources on 5 March 2009. Hans Alders, handed a cheque of € 2 000.- to Jan van de Zande.
 The winning concept Canopy Density Spraying combines two basic ideas, viz., application of the plant protection product on the target object only and adjustment of the product dose level to the growth stage of the plant. Individual plants and leaf mass are determined by sensors. The sensors control spraying nozzles that open and close rapidly upon detection of a plant and apply a variable spray volume to achieve a uniform cover with the product depending on the amount of leaf mass.
The jury in particular appreciated the following aspects of Canopy Density Spraying: It is an innovative combination of techniques that may yield spectacular environmental gains for many crops. The first applications of fungal control in potatoes and lilies resulted in a more than 90 % reduction in product use with an equally good disease protection. This reduction, which can be achieved in important crops, is very promising and the jury hopes that this development will contribute to a new plant protection era with precision control.
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