Marco Grella
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View article: Aerial Spray Application of Plant Protection Products for Grapevine Downy Mildew Control: Efficacy and Canopy Deposit Evaluation in Semi-Field Trials
Aerial Spray Application of Plant Protection Products for Grapevine Downy Mildew Control: Efficacy and Canopy Deposit Evaluation in Semi-Field Trials Open
A growing interest in aerial drone applications has led to the European regulatory proposal 2022/0196/COD, which considers aerial spraying in steep-slope vineyards safer for human health and the environment. Nevertheless, disease control i…
View article: Integrating UAS, Computer Vision and AI for Targeted Management of Invasive Insect Pests in Vineyards
Integrating UAS, Computer Vision and AI for Targeted Management of Invasive Insect Pests in Vineyards Open
The increasing globalisation of trade and climate change are accelerating the spread of invasive pest species, posing significant threats to agriculture. The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman), first recorded in northern Italy in 2…
View article: Identifying key parameters for reliable assessment of entomopathogenic nematodes viability as affected by spray application stress‐related factors
Identifying key parameters for reliable assessment of entomopathogenic nematodes viability as affected by spray application stress‐related factors Open
BACKGROUND Conventional pesticide application equipment (PAE) is used to apply entomopathogenic nematode (EPN)‐based bioinsecticides, but their closed hydraulic systems could raise the temperature of the spray mixture up to 40 °C, potentia…
View article: Performance analysis of a nitrogen-based Brayton cryocooler prototype
Performance analysis of a nitrogen-based Brayton cryocooler prototype Open
When very low temperatures are needed for industrial applications, reverse Brayton cryocoolers can be adopted. This paper reports the results of an energy analysis in which the performance of a Brayton cryocooler prototype was studied. The…
View article: PPP exposure models for 3‐D orchards considering spraying technologies in Southern Europe
PPP exposure models for 3‐D orchards considering spraying technologies in Southern Europe Open
Tree orchards like citrus, olives, apricot, peach and nuts, also known as 3D orchards, are typical crops of southern Europe (SEU) and present different vegetation characteristics (tree size, tree shape, foliar density, etc) and distinctive…
View article: Hydraulic-based fixed spray delivery system: Homogeneity distribution among emitters and internal cleaning performances evaluation
Hydraulic-based fixed spray delivery system: Homogeneity distribution among emitters and internal cleaning performances evaluation Open
Fixed spray systems, an alternative to conventional pesticide application equipment, are under investigation in perennial fruit crops for improving spray applications. A prototype of a hydraulic fixed delivery spray system (31 m length) wa…
View article: Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (<scp>BCA</scp>) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions
Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (<span>BCA</span>) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions Open
Background In order to improve the biological control agent (BCA) efficacy, stress factors threatening the viability of microorganisms during spray application need to be determined. The effect of spray mixture temperature and exposure tim…
View article: Special Issue on Precision Technologies and Novel Farming Practices to Reduce Chemical Inputs in Agriculture
Special Issue on Precision Technologies and Novel Farming Practices to Reduce Chemical Inputs in Agriculture Open
The sustainability of agriculture is a key point to feed human population in the future [...]
View article: Characterization of irrigator emitter to be used as solid set canopy delivery system: which is best for which role in the vineyard?
Characterization of irrigator emitter to be used as solid set canopy delivery system: which is best for which role in the vineyard? Open
Background The timely and flexible treatment of solid set canopy delivery systems (SSCDS) is expanding. Laboratory and field trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of three different irrigators (Pulsar™ system and nozzle combina…
View article: Bio-Acidification of Cattle Slurry with Whey Reduces Gaseous Emission during Storage with Positive Effects on Biogas Production
Bio-Acidification of Cattle Slurry with Whey Reduces Gaseous Emission during Storage with Positive Effects on Biogas Production Open
Livestock manure is the main source of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases emissions (GHG), which can be reduced by acidifying manure. This work assessed the effect of acidification of cattle slurry using whey on NH3 and GHG emissions durin…
View article: Use of ultrasound anemometers to study the influence of air currents generated by a sprayer with an electronic control airflow system on foliar coverage. Effect of droplet size
Use of ultrasound anemometers to study the influence of air currents generated by a sprayer with an electronic control airflow system on foliar coverage. Effect of droplet size Open
Air assistance and droplet’s characteristics influence on the pesticide deposit and its distribution over the intended target during the spray application process. The present research work is focused on the characterization of the leaf co…
View article: Assessment of Spray Deposit and Loss in Traditional and Intensive Olive Orchards with Conventional and Crop-Adapted Sprayers
Assessment of Spray Deposit and Loss in Traditional and Intensive Olive Orchards with Conventional and Crop-Adapted Sprayers Open
Plant protection product (PPP) applications to isolated olive trees are commonly performed with regular air-assisted sprayers, which are not adapted to their particular characteristics. Whilst strong efforts have been undertaken over the l…
View article: UAV-spray application in vineyards: Flight modes and spray system adjustment effects on canopy deposit, coverage, and off-target losses
UAV-spray application in vineyards: Flight modes and spray system adjustment effects on canopy deposit, coverage, and off-target losses Open
Improvements in the spray application of plant protection products enhance agricultural sustainability by reducing environmental contamination, but by increasing food quality and human safety. Currently, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are…
View article: Effect of the Airblast Settings on the Vertical Spray Profile: Implementation on an On-Line Decision Aid for Citrus Treatments
Effect of the Airblast Settings on the Vertical Spray Profile: Implementation on an On-Line Decision Aid for Citrus Treatments Open
Airblast sprayers are widely used for the application of plant protection products (PPP) in citrus. Adaptation of the vertical distribution of the spray cloud to the canopy (density, shape and size), is essential to deposit an adequate amo…
View article: Performance of a Prototype Boom Sprayer for Bed-Grown Carrots Based on Canopy Deposition Optimization, Ground Losses and Spray Drift Potential Mitigation in Semi-Field Conditions
Performance of a Prototype Boom Sprayer for Bed-Grown Carrots Based on Canopy Deposition Optimization, Ground Losses and Spray Drift Potential Mitigation in Semi-Field Conditions Open
The H2020-project OPTIMA concept of smart sprayer relies on several functionalities, including variable nozzle spacing for bed-grown carrots, based on an air-assisted boom sprayer. A prototype boom was designed and evaluated though canopy …
View article: The effect of fan setting, air-conveyor orientation and nozzle configuration on airblast sprayer efficiency: Insights relevant to trellised vineyards
The effect of fan setting, air-conveyor orientation and nozzle configuration on airblast sprayer efficiency: Insights relevant to trellised vineyards Open
A step-by-step laboratory procedure was used to identify the optimal configuration of a tower-shaped trailed sprayer intended for application in vertical shoot trellised vineyards. Different fan settings, air-conveyor orientation, and nozz…
View article: AN INNOVATIVE SPRAYER DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR OPTIMAL PLANT PROTECTION OF BED-GROWN CARROTS
AN INNOVATIVE SPRAYER DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR OPTIMAL PLANT PROTECTION OF BED-GROWN CARROTS Open
The H2020 OPTIMA Project aims at developing an integrated solution for plant protection including the early detection of fungal diseases, the definition of new bioproducts, the development of an IPM (integrated Pest Management). A collabor…
View article: Development of Drift-Reducing Spouts For Vineyard Pneumatic Sprayers: Measurement of Droplet Size Spectra Generated and Their Classification
Development of Drift-Reducing Spouts For Vineyard Pneumatic Sprayers: Measurement of Droplet Size Spectra Generated and Their Classification Open
Pneumatic spraying is especially sensitive to spray drift due to the production of small droplets that can be easily blown away from the treated field by the wind. Two prototypes of environmentally friendly pneumatic spouts were developed.…
View article: Field assessment of a newly‐designed pneumatic spout to contain spray drift in vineyards: evaluation of canopy distribution and off‐target losses
Field assessment of a newly‐designed pneumatic spout to contain spray drift in vineyards: evaluation of canopy distribution and off‐target losses Open
BACKGROUND The efficacy and environmental sustainability of pesticide application largely depend on maximizing target coverage, while minimizing off‐target losses. Recently, laboratory‐based measurements were used to develop new cannon‐typ…
View article: Spray Drift Generated in Vineyard during Under-Row Weed Control and Suckering: Evaluation of Direct and Indirect Drift-Reducing Techniques
Spray Drift Generated in Vineyard during Under-Row Weed Control and Suckering: Evaluation of Direct and Indirect Drift-Reducing Techniques Open
The most widespread method for weed control and suckering in vineyards is under-row band herbicide application. It could be performed for weed control only (WC) or weed control and suckering (WSC) simultaneously. During herbicide applicati…
View article: Technical solutions for under-row weed control in vineyards: Efficacy, costs and environmental aspects analysis
Technical solutions for under-row weed control in vineyards: Efficacy, costs and environmental aspects analysis Open
Weed control in vineyards is essential to allow optimal vines development. In this study, three different techniques (hoeing, chemical control, and mulching) used in vineyard’s under-row weed control were compared considering their: operat…
View article: Toward a new method to classify the airblast sprayers according to their potential drift reduction: comparison of direct and new indirect measurement methods
Toward a new method to classify the airblast sprayers according to their potential drift reduction: comparison of direct and new indirect measurement methods Open
BACKGROUND Drift is one of the most important issues to consider for realising sustainable pesticide sprays. This study proposes an alternative indirect methodology for comparative measurements of drift reduction potential (DRP) generated …