An Innovative System for Air-Assisted Distribution of Beneficial Organisms on Protected Crops

The distribution of chemicals on protected crops is often a critical moment for the operators who are forced to make frequent treatments in an enclosed environment and in the presence of high pesticide concentrations. The introduction of organic farming techniques improves these aspects but generally requires a substantial commitment of manpower and forces the operator to stay for a long time in environments characterized by temperature and humidity that cause discomfort and fatigue. Increasing the level of mechanization improves the effectiveness of the treatments and it Experiments were conducted to assess the efficiency of this prototype, the reduction of working time and the possible effect on the viability of organisms distributed. also permits a quicker approach with relevant improvement on workers’ health and safety, particularly in greenhouse crops. We therefore developed a prototype for the distribution of beneficial organisms that can increase the labour productivity and distribution quality on protected crops. The effectiveness of the distribution has been verified through laboratory and field tests to evaluate the effects of the releasing on viability and fertility of beneficial organisms. The prototype has been demonstrated to properly perform the releasing of arthropods without compromising the viability and fertility of two species of phytoseiids (Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius swirskii), whereas in the case of nymphs of the anthocorid Orius laevigatus, the survival immediately after the distribution and the post-release survival (reaching of the adult stage) are influenced by the action of the mechanical device.