Method and System for Selective Spraying of Fruit Trees Adapted to Their Fruiting Condition

Selective spraying transforming the way how fruit growers protect their crops.
This innovative system allows precise application of treatments according to individual tree needs. Unlike traditional methods that spray every tree on the same way, selective spraying adjusts the dosage according to each tree’s flowering or fruiting condition. As a result, it reduces chemical use, saves resources, and limits environmental impact.

Developed by the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the patented system meets modern needs for precision and sustainable farming. With climate change, labor shortages, and increasing pressure for environmentally friendly production, selective spraying provides a practical and reliable solution for both small and large fruit growers.

Why Selective Spraying is Needed

Today, plant protection in orchards and vineyards is performed uniformly, without considering each tree’s condition.
This non-selective approach leads to overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, higher costs, and reduced efficiency. It also increases the risk of biennial bearing — irregular fruiting that affects both yield and fruit quality.

To address these challenges, digital and automated spraying systems have become essential for modern agriculture.

How the Selective Spraying System Works

The system uses a side-mounted camera on a tractor that moves between tree rows in the orchard. The camera records each individual tree canopy, detecting the number of flowers or fruit clusters in real time. Based on this digital data, the sprayer automatically decides whether and how much product to apply. Digital estimation of flowering abundancy of each individual tree is set on computer together with the precise RTK GPS position of each tree. This way the application of plant protection products can be used for all sprays up to harvest time, according to predicted low or high individual tree crop load.

This ensures that only trees that need treatment receive it, improving precision and efficiency.

The system can apply:

• Thinning agents and plant growth regulators
• Cosmetic sprays
• Foliar fertilizers

Field tests showed over 90% accuracy with minimal false applications, proving the system’s reliability.

Benefits of Selective Spraying

• Reduces input use (growth regulators, fertilizers)
• Targets each tree based on real physiological condition
• Improves yield and fruit quality
• Minimises spray drift and environmental pollution
• Decreases risk of alternate bearing
• Compatible with organic and integrated production systems
• Ready for automation and smart orchards
• Scalable to other plant protection applications
  
  The technology is protected under European Patent EP19202689.6.
  More information about the invention is available in the
  https://register.epo.org/application?number=EP19202689