TECHNICAL MEANS FOR CHEMICAL PROTECTION OF PLANTS: CURRENT STATE AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

Intensive agricultural production is impossible without the use of plant protection products that contribute to high yields. Agricultural producers highly evaluate the chemical method of plant protection based on the wide use of sprayers as a more efficient and productive one. The analysis of modern sprayers has shown that their design is subject to the dominating trend of increasing productivity, a working width and a tank capacity, improving the quality of work, improving the main components and equipment, using various automation tools to reduce the environmental impact. There are also some long-term trends in the development of autonomous robotic machines and unmanned aerial vehicles, combined into a single intelligent precision farming system. It is noted that the following operating parameters of the sprayer greatly influence the quality indicators of the chemical treatment of plants: the unit speed; the rod installation height and its stability during operation; pressure in the working fluid supply system and nozzle operation parameters (the diameter of droplets formed, the degree of wear and clogging). Environmental parameters also have a significant impact: relative humidity and air temperature, wind speed and the amount of precipitation. To ensure high quality, efficiency, and environmental safety of chemical plant protection, it is necessary to improve the technical means of plant protection through optimizing the main operating parameters, introducing advanced technical solutions aimed at increasing the technological process efficiency; introducing automation and robotization systems of technical means used for plant protection; designing autonomous robotic machines and unmanned aerial vehicles, combined into a single intelligent system of precision farming.