title: Sensor-based variable-rate fungicide application in winter wheat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently, no technology for the automatic detection of diseases while moving agricultural equipment through fields is available on the market. An alternative approach of target-oriented fungicide spraying was tested to adapt the local dose rates of spray liquid in winter wheat to local differences in the plant surface and biomass by using a camera sensor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A linear correlation was found between the sensor values and two plant parameters, namely the leaf area index and biomass. The spray volume was linearly adapted to the local sensor value in a field trial. The camera sensor was used to operate the dosing system (gauge) at the field boom sprayer. A total of 8% of spray liquid was saved compared with common uniform spraying.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because no differences exist in yield and disease incidence between the sensor-based and uniformly sprayed plot, this new technology, which uses plants as targets for fungicide dosages, could be an alternative to the present common dosage practices on a hectare basis. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: pro Plant GmbH, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tackenberg
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University, Halle (Saale), Germany.
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Volkmar
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ATB), Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Dammer
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000295:instrumentation; D018533:Biomass; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D010781:Photography; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018515:Plant Leaves; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology; D014908:Triticum / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D005659:Fungicides, Industrial
keywords: biomass; camera sensor; fungicide application; leaf area index; precision agriculture; variable-rate spraying