The aim of the PFLOPF project is to reduce plant-protection use by at least 25%. This is to be achieved with Precision Farming technologies, including online forecasting tools, GPS steering systems, and sensor-controlled plant-protection and hoeing machines.
From 2019 to 2026, the Cantons of Aargau, Thurgau and Zurich will be running the resource project ‘Plant Protection Optimisation with Precision Farming, or ‘PFLOPF’ for short. Agricultural practitioners, extension services and researchers work hand-in-hand on the project. Agroscope is responsible for scientific support and impact monitoring of the implemented measures.
Further refining of forecasts
The online tool developed for PFLOPF, www.befallsrisiko.ch, is a map-based tool for monitoring disease- and pest infestation. Agricultural extension professionals in particular make frequent use of the tool at present. The project’s own weather stations supply farm-specific weather data for refining the forecasting models.
Spot-spraying in a nutshell
A spot-spraying system used in combination with a hoeing device allowed fungicides and insecticides to be applied with pinpoint accuracy in a salad crop. According to initial evaluations, farms used around 60% less plant-protection product compared to a conventional area treatment. Depending on the row spacing and band width, the savings compared to band-spraying were still about 20 to 40 percent.
Autonomous vehicles fight weeds
In an orchard with old trees and relatively little undergrowth, two glyphosate treatments were rendered unnecessary in the 2022 season by a mulching robot. Branches in the tramlines proved challenging for the robot. In addition, wet grass led to the mowing drums becoming clogged. At just a few hectares, the area output of the storage battery is currently still low. Further tests will take place in 2023.
Project partners
In addition to the implementation of innovations on commercial farms, resource projects like PFLOPF also involve advisory elements, monitoring of the impact of the implemented measures, and scientific support. To cover all this, the following project partners are involved in PFLOPF:
- Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG
- Agroscope
- Agrofutura
- Cantonal Agricultural Agencies of Aargau, Thurgau and Zurich
- Liebegg Agricultural Centre (Canton of Aargau)
- Arenenberg Education and Extension Centre (Canton of Thurgau)
- Strickhof Competence Centre for Agriculture and Food Management (Canton of Zurich)
Aargau Farmers’ Union - Thurgau Agriculture Association
- Zurich Farmers’ Union
