What's happening in the field?

At the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station

Progress on the fixed-spray system for raspberries in the high tunnel

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Raspberries in a high tunnel need to be sprayed for spotted wing drosophila or other insects at night when it is dark in order to avoid contacting pollinators with pesticides. We have been working on setting up a fixed-spray system demonstration for raspberries in the high tunnel. We used the Cornell University Extension guidelines to construct a fixed spray system that would automatically apply a pesticide at night operating off of a timer. Dr. Andrew Landers, who helped develop the fixed-spray system for raspberries at Cornell University, is consulting on this project. Jeremy Emery and Randy Stout, SFES Field Supervisors, are engineering the demonstration which is funded by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the USDA.

Today Jeremy and Randy tested out the timer and system – so far so good. We will continue to work with Dr. Landers and hope to present information on our system in an October webinar. We also plan to produce a guide sheet for growers who wish to construct one of these systems.

Jeremy and Shelia install mist nozzles in the fixed spray
Jeremy and Shelia install mist nozzles in the fixed spray system.

 

There is a nozzle overhead in the center and two on each side.
There is a nozzle overhead in the center and two lower down on each side.

 

The pump turns on via the timer and agitates before the first line is open.
The pump turns on via the timer and agitates before the first line is open. After the first line sprays, the second and third lines follow.

 

We have to start looking at what kind of coverage the misters are providing the canopy.
We will now look at what kind of coverage the misters are providing the canopy.

 

Jeremy and Randy are trying out the automatic timer system.
Jeremy and Randy are programming the automatic timer.

 

Jeremy is pleased that the system worked well as far as the timing sequence - agitation, south side nozzles, overhead nozzles and lastly the north side nozzles.
Jeremy is pleased that the system worked well as far as the timing sequence – agitation, south side nozzles, overhead nozzles, and lastly the north side nozzles.