Bactrocera oleae. Dacus is the main pest of olive cultivation, causing economic losses that exceed 30% in Greece. Due to the weaknesses of the National Dacus Control Program, farmers resort to intensive blanket spraying with disastrous consequences, such as the killing of beneficial insects, the chemical burden on the agroecosystem, the presence of pesticide residues in olive oil, the development of insecticides resistance, and more. In the proposed project, modern electronic, automation, and information technology solutions will be applied on a large scale (pilot olive grove) to modernize, optimize, and accurately implement the Bait Spraying Method (BSM) developed in a previous research project (Subproject 25, “ARCHIMEDES III” action of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete).
The innovation
The Bait Spraying Method (BSM) will be implemented in a rational, optimal, and reliable way, minimizing the impact of human factors on its effectiveness, while additional improvements – in line with recently published research results – will be implemented, such as reducing the amount of spraying per tree and increasing their attractiveness. These advancements ensure that the BSM is carried out with precision and efficiency, achieving better results in controlling dacus population. Through the use of automated spraying devices, the sprayed quantity per tree will be fully controlled and adjusted. A data representation informational system will be developed to provide real-time monitoring and enable timely and informed decision-making by the scientific personnel. The project promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture by minimizing the use of insecticides. It enhances the production of high-quality olive oil with exceptional taste, quality, and commercial value.
The innovation
Greece is the only country that implements Biorational Control (BC) through the National Dacus Management Program, compared to the widespread use of Blanket Spraying (BS) by its major competitors, Italy and Spain.
The key innovative elements of the Operational Plan that modernize the National Dacus Control Program are:
- The complete abolition of cover sprays in the olive groves of the Agricultural Cooperative
- The use of automatic spraying devices, which ensure – for the first time at an international level – the regulation and control of the sprayed quantity of the pesticide per treated tree, guaranteeing the application of Biorational Pest Control methods.
- The development of an information system for the digital representation of all spraying data, including tractor paths, spraying points, and quantity at each spraying point.
- Continuous, accurate, and personalized provision of information to producers and scientific personnel regarding the progress of pest control.
- The implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices for the production of higher quality and safer food.