'Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA)'
Abstract
The goal of this work was to evaluate the potential of reduced application rates in apple trees as well as the potential
of selective spray applications by using sensor-based tree detection techniques in Serbian fruit production. Their
economical and biological effect was evaluated based on the quality and efficiency of the crop protection and technoeconomic
analysis. Results showed that during suitable weather conditions and with properly adjusted sprayer settings,
a reduced application rate of 381 L ha�1 gave same quality of crop protection as a medium application rate of 759 L
ha�1. A two-year efficiency trial on Venturia inaequalis and Podosphaera leucitricha infecting apple also showed that
there was no significant difference in crop protection results for different types of orchard application techniques and
application rates. The techno-economic analysis showed that selective application should be introduced in practice in
areas > 3 ha given that the cost of their introduction pays off after 2-3 seasons. Every subsequent season would give a
clear economic profit. Besides the economic benefits, selective application technique also has a significant positive
ecological effect due to reduction of spray losses and the amount of plant protection products used