The Mildron project "Innovations for the early detection and treatment of downy mildew in early potato crops in Andalusia" has aimed to develop an advanced system for the early detection of downy mildew and to improve the use and application of phytosanitary treatments in potato crops in a localized and sustainable manner.
The project is being promoted by Asociafruit and also counts on the participation of the Department of Graphic Engineering and Geomatics of the University of Cordoba, Alltitud Drones S. L. -a specialist in pollination and aerial treatments with drones- and two leading companies in potato cultivation in our region, Contagri, S. L. and Sevillana de Patatas, S. L.
Up to now, due to the meteorological conditions under which mildew spreads, which entail muddy fields that are inaccessible to machinery and human resources, treatments were applied following the granting of an exceptional authorization that required a very cumbersome administrative procedure, using conventional aerial means with manned aircraft; a method with great limitations in terms of precision and which involves many legal protocols for its correct implementation.
Given these problems, the Mildron operational group has sought to implement new remote sensing technologies in potato crops to accurately identify areas affected by downy mildew, and to design localized treatment strategies using drones equipped with advanced tools for the application of phytosanitary products, thus minimizing the environmental impact and boosting the sector's sustainability.
The project is expected not only to reduce the economic losses caused by downy mildew but also to contribute to the modernization of the potato sector in Andalusia. By integrating advanced technological solutions, the aim is to improve the crop's competitiveness in international markets and guarantee environmental sustainability, thereby positioning Andalusia as a leader in agricultural innovation.
The field trials were carried out during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 agricultural seasons on commercial potato farms linked to the project. The following actions were carried out:
1. Monitoring with satellite images. Although it was possible to detect the presence of downy mildew in large areas, the limited spatial resolution and the lack of data in cloudy periods affected the effectiveness of this method.
2. Drone flights and multispectral sensors. These provided centimeter-resolution data, allowing accurate on-demand identification of affected areas, localized treatments, and improved disease control.
The results obtained demonstrated that drones are an effective solution to address the challenges of downy mildew, offering a localized treatment that minimizes economic and environmental damage.
This project has shown the great potential of technological tools in precision agriculture, highlighting the benefits of early downy mildew detection and the application of localized treatments with drones. The results have been highly satisfactory, paving the way for future campaigns to further optimize these practices.
Moreover, the use of these technologies is not only improving crop profitability by reducing the economic losses associated with the aforementioned pest but is also allowing a significant reduction in the use of phytosanitary products, contributing to more sustainable agriculture. Also, the technical knowledge acquired can be transferred to other crops and regions with similar problems.
For more information: www.gopasociafruit.com