Research program
ARTHROPODS MECHANICAL DISTRIBUTION IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PROTECTED CULTIVATIONS
University Co-ordinator
Universita' degli Studi di CATANIA -
INGEGNERIA AGRARIA - CATANIA(CT)
Research Unit Leader
Sabina Iole Giuseppina FAILLA
Description
The main objective is to carry out mechanised distribution of natural antagonists on biological cultivation under greenhouses. The main activity of the research Unit will be to define, in the laboratory, the construction specifications and the functional parameters for the construction of a machine to be used for the distribution of useful arthropods in the greenhouse and verify with a first prototype the possibility to substitute the work that is now carried out by the man, improving the uniformity of the distribution, the work capacity (ha/h) and overall not altering the vitality of the arthropods. At the end of the programme, after laboratory and field tests, it would be indicated the functional parameters of optimal regulation with which to use the machine inside greenhouses in order to obtain a high level of uniformity of arthropod distribution according to the crop to be treated.ACTIVITIES OF THE Ith YEARDetermination of research methodologyAmong the activities of the first year, it would be necessary to identify the research methodology for laboratory and field tests together with the other Research Units; other deals of experience would be taken in consideration. This preliminary activity would allow to define the protocol in order to carry out the laboratory and field trials. The first one would be able to verify the prototype functionality; the second one would be able to evaluate the treatments efficacy. Probably, it could be necessary to improve this protocol working in progress.The manufacture of prototypeThis phase will also include a preliminary analysis of the context, taking in consideration the specific structural characteristics of the greenhouses (surface, passages, microclimatic conditions etc.), the cultivation system used for the crop (height of plants, density of vegetation, arrangement of the rows and internal spaces, etc.), and the vitality of the natural antagonists.These studies, necessary for the design choice, would allow to identify the construction characteristics of the prototype which would be versatile in order to work in different operating conditions. Therefore, a first prototype will be constructed, paying particular attention to the distribution apparatus and the dosimeter. The electric motor powered battery would be favourite if it is possible to assure the capacity of one day labour. The aim is to reduce the costs and the environmental externalities. In this first part of the research, the necessity to construct a first prototype very light and very easy to handle will be not considered. In the second year, could be necessary to improve the handiness and to reduce the costs.To this end this Unit (Mechanics Section of the Engineering Department of Catania) will be able to take advantage both of its own workshop equipped with machine tools for the modification and construction of components of the prototype and of the support of outside constructors of agricultural machinery that can construct other components.In this phase, the study of the needs and characteristics of the arthropods considered in this research, focusing on an understanding of phenomena regarding machine-individual interaction, will be the fruit of full collaboration and exchange between the Mechanics and Entomology Research Units of the University of Catania and also between the other Units participating in the project. The identification of the construction specifications of the prototype that the Mechanics Unit intends to develop will depend to a great extent on the necessity to limit the damage to the arthropods and to keep their viability high in order to obtain an acceptable uniformity of distribution. Equally important is the characterisation of the support material that the predators are sold with. In fact, this material, which is kept at a certain level of humidity, affects the uniformity of distribution, in general negatively. It will be necessary, therefore, to determine the ideal degree of humidity both for the well-being of the arthropods and the uniformity of the vermiculite (commonly used) distribution and to carry out further laboratory tests with inert material, in order to obtain more comprehensive results, taking in consideration the information from BIOPLANET factory (external unit of the project). Laboratory Activity Once the dosimeter and subsequently the distribution apparatus characterising the prototype have been defined, a series of laboratory trials will be carried out both with the support material alone, in order to study the machine-product interaction, and with this mixed with the arthropods in order to evaluate the machine-individual interaction. From time to time the effects of the use of the machine on the arthropods will be studied by means of suitable test bench and, on the basis of the information provided by the Entomology Research Unit, if necessary the components of the machine that are causing negative consequences for the arthropods and/or compromising the distribution will be improved or at least modified.In particular, various parameters characterising the distribution of this very specific product will be examined, such as the accuracy of the dosage in terms of quality and quantity, the outlets and the strength of the jet and the distribution of the product in space with respect to the machine, distribution height, noise and vibration.Once the prototype has been set up and tested in the laboratory for suitability for use in a protected environment, a phase that it is planned to complete in the first year of the programme, the field trials will begin.Other tests would be carried out to verify the vitality and the reproduction capacity to BIOPLANET factory. ACTIVITIES OF THE IInd YEARField TrialsOnce the prototype has been built and its performance evaluated with laboratory tests and in controlled experimental conditions, in the second year a protocol will be established jointly with the Entomology Research Unit, to carry out greenhouse trials in Sicilian farms. Moreover, the possibility of comparing - in terms of efficacy - the two prototypes set up by the DEIAGRA (Mechanics) Research Unit of Bologna and the DIA (Mechanics) Research Unit of Catania will be considered.Trials will be carried out in the chosen greenhouse, varying some of the machine's distribution parameters. In particular, the effects of product speed, quantity of product distributed and manner of distribution in relation to the crops (solanaceae and cucurbitaceae) to be treated will be studied. For a more complete evaluation of the treatments in terms of distribution uniformity, both the effects of localised distribution on the rows and those of distribution throughout the greenhouse from a fixed point – a technique adopted with some machines used in chemical control in order to reduce labour time – will be considered. Moreover, it would be useful to compare the uniformity of distribution of the product and the work capacity obtainablewith manual casting with those of mechanised treatments, thus evaluating the technique of biological control from the point of view of work organisation and economic advantage. This aspect would be focused by the Economics Research unit of the project (DISEAE – University of Catania).The product distributed - in terms of individual spatial distribution with respect to the examined surface – will be evaluated in according to a randomised complete block design. After a statistical analysis of the data obtained, an estimation will be made of the distribution uniformity in relation to the various trial hypotheses. During the tests, the temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse will be measured with portable thermohygrometers as these parameters determine the efficiency of the treatment.The Entomolgy Unit will examine the biological effectiveness of the treatment.Modifications of the prototype It is planned to set up and if necessary modify the prototype according to the results obtained from the first series of trials and if necessary to carry out a second series of trials to find out whether eventual problems have been overcome, bearing in mind that the size and mass of the machine must be manageable and the costs kept down.Data processing and comparison between the results of the research unitsThe results obtained during the research program will be compared in order to point out the technical-economical soundness of the prototype.Results publishing If the results are significant it might be opportune to organise scientific and informative meetings with technicians and operators in the sector in order to evaluate possible relapses in greenhouse farms in the territory under consideration. It is expected, in fact, that agricultural producers will be interested in a machine designed for use in an integrated and biological regime, respecting safety and hygiene work conditions.
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