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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Crops Pathology and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #308241
Title: Tractor-mounted, GPS-based spot fumigation system manages Prunus replant disease

Author
item UDOMPETAIKUL, V. - University Of California
item COATES, ROBERT - University Of California
item UPADHYAYA, SHRINIVASA - University Of California
item Browne, Greg
item SHAFII, MIR - University Of California
item GILLIS, MATT - Trical Inc

Submitted to: California Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2013
Publication Date: 12/1/2013
Publication URL: http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.org/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v067n04p222&fulltext=yes
Citation: Udompetaikul, V., Coates, R.W., Upadhyaya, S.K., Browne, G.T., Shafii, M., Gillis, M. 2013. Tractor-mounted, GPS-based spot fumigation system manages Prunus replant disease. California Agriculture. 67(4):222-227.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Our research goal was to use recent advances in global positioning system (GPS) and computer technology to apply just the right amount of fumigant where it is most needed (i.e., in a small target treatment zone in and around each tree replanting site) to control Prunus replant disease (PRD). We developed and confirmed the function of (1) GPS-based software that can be used on cleared orchard land to flexibly plan and map all of an orchard's future tree sites and associated spot fumigation treatment zones and 2) a tractor-based GPS-controlled spot fumigation system to quickly and safely treat the targeted tree site treatment zones. In trials in two almond orchards and one peach orchard, our evaluations of the composite mapping and application system, which examined spatial accuracy of the spot treatments, delivery rate accuracy of the spot treatments, and tree growth responses to the spot treatments, all indicated that GPS spot fumigation has excellent potential to greatly reduce fumigant usage while adequately managing the PRD complex.