Close range precision spraying airflow /plant interaction

Most plant diseases develop at initial stage of infection around discrete foci, the primary source of new inoculums for widespread of diseases. We present a design and application of a close range precision spraying end effector, which was developed within CROPS EU project. Aerodynamic study of airflow / plant interaction was performed. The main goal was to establish favorable flow conditions around leaves for good pesticide application on both adaxial and abaxial leaves surfaces. In comparison with conventional spraying, coherent structures with close range precision spraying are too small to effectively carry spraying droplets around plant leaves and spray adaxial sides of leaves. We have used two close range precision spraying end effectors, rotated such that they both pointed the same spraying target. Flow fluctuations were introduced in the spraying airflow by a rotating screen.