Our research was featured in the summer edition of the New York Fruit Quarterly. The article summarizes the first two years of data collected in Michigan with an emphasis on canopy cooling and pest management. You can access archived NYFQ issues at: http://www.nyshs.org/fq.php
We’ve just released our year two newsletter. This provides an overview of our accomplishments through the 2012-2013 year of the project. We will release one more newsletter in 2015 that provides an overview of all project activities. Download the newsletter here: https://canopydelivery.msu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2013_SCRI-Report.pdf
We’ve completed a full color report on our first year activities. 2012 was a year full of challenges but our team has fabricated test systems in all three project states and has made some interesting findings. The report can be downloaded here as a .pdf. You will need a pdf reader such as Adobe Reader… Continue Reading Year 1 Report!
In order to record and compare the delivery deposition efficiency of the solid set canopy delivery (SSCD) system and the conventional airblast sprayer, 26 √ó76 mm water and oil sensitive paper cards (TeeJet¬Æ, Spraying Sytems Co. Wheaton, IL) were strategically placed in semi-dwarf Rubinstar Jonagold apple trees at the Clarksville Horticulture Research Center in Clarksville,… Continue Reading June MSU Apple Spray Coverage Trial
http://youtu.be/nT10BzaTRIo The initial field set-up at WSU Sunrise Orchard consists of one irrigation line centrally located in the tree canopy with emitters branching from it.¬† The design has two emitters between each tree.¬† The emitters are staggered vertically so that emitters of equal height are 6-feet apart horizontally.¬† The heights of emitters are: 10, 8,… Continue Reading Initial design at WSU Sunrise
With a “proof of concept” researched, we are testing several designs to optimize the spray pattern, increase the design over greater acreage, and improve the mechanism of flushing (or clearing the lines). Controlled Environment Testing of Design and Emitters Trickl-eez, a private company in Michigan, has tested several designs and emitters in a controlled environment.¬†… Continue Reading Designs for 2012
http://youtu.be/iMC-LuLynfE In 2007, Drs. Agnello and Landers from Cornell University designed, established and studied the idea of a solid set canopy delivery system in apples.¬† This system applied all pest management control for the season.¬† They observed no differences in pest control when compared to a standard airblast sprayer.¬† The current SSCD grant is working… Continue Reading “Proof of Concept”: SSCD in action
Simple concept: Use the concept of an irrigation system‚Äîone main pipe close to the orchard floor with sprinklers (or emitters) evenly spaced to apply water, fertilizers and herbicides.¬† Twist: install similar systems higher in the canopy and attached to existing trellis wire to apply water, pesticides, and nutrients that will cover the canopy. The complexities:… Continue Reading SSCD Concept and Complexities