Techno-economic analysis and ecology aspect of classic and selective pesticide application in apricot orchards | Tehno-ekonomska analiza i ekološki aspekt klasične i selektivne aplikacije pesticida u zasadu kajsije

Increasing of agricultural products consumption through a trans-disciplinary approach leading to high quality produce from environmentally safe sustainable methods is one of modern agricultural production aims. Planting and caring of the orchard demands significant financial resources, but as well it secures gain. Special attention to the care of the orchard deserves the protection against illnesses and pests. Chemical protection is the most commonly used of all measures of plant protection. Chemical protection of orchards usually is performed by air assistance sprayers. Class and type of air assistance sprayer affects on the quality of work, and by it the efficiency of applying the pesticide. Excellent solution presents usage of sensors which would be adapted on air assistance sprayers and give data regarding the size of plants and health condition. Sensors provide new way of application. That is selective application and it is environmentally safe sustainable methods of pesticide application. This paperwork analyze chemical protection of apricort orchards with air assisted sprayer. Drift losses and tehno-economic analysis is primary view poit in this work. Drift causes poor quality of biological efficiency, increase chemical protection costs and environmental pollution, esspecially soil pollution. It was sprayed two and three years old apricort orchards with classic and selective way of application with the same type of air assisted sprayer. Different type of application was in aim to get better view of ecological aspect this application methods. In aim of selective application air assisted sprayers is equiped with ultrasonic sensor for tree detection. Both type of application are lead in the same day with same weather condition in the same orchard and with indetical application rate. With special water-sensitive plates and measuring dishes was checked pesticide losses on soil and in orchard for both type of pesticide application. Tehno-economic analysis point to justification and worthwhile of selective pesticide application according to economic and exploitation aspect.