Apples and olives UV-light optimized pest treatment to reduce the use of pesticides

Project in brief

The intensive use of pesticides represents a serious environmental problem. The EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy has set the ambitious target of reducing pesticide use by 50% by 2030, but truly effective technologies are still lacking. The LIFE APOLLO project is developing an autonomous rover equipped with UV-C lamps, capable of preventing parasitic infections and treating crops according to schedules calculated by algorithms based on weather forecasts and crop-specific needs. The pilot crops identified are olive groves and apple orchards, widely cultivated in Europe and the Mediterranean, but still lacking dedicated technological innovations. The project foresees the optimization of the treatment method and two years of field trials, during which treatment effectiveness, environmental impacts, and conditions for market entry will be assessed.

Project objectives

The main objective of the project is to develop a treatment system for apple and olive trees, aimed at reducing pesticide use through the application of UV-C rays, to which pathogens are particularly sensitive. The innovative treatment will be carried out by autonomous ground rovers, capable of mapping orchard rows and independently applying the UV radiation.

Impact

LIFE APOLLO aims to be a decisive turning point, offering an integrated and comprehensive solution capable of revolutionizing pesticide management. Its goal is to achieve, in a single application, a reduction of more than 50% in the use of both chemical substances and non-chemical but still hazardous products, providing an alternative method to the traditional application of pesticides through sprayers.

Finanziamento

Project co-financed by the European Union; Grant Agreement 101213229 — LIFE24-ENV-IT-LIFE APOLLO

 

Team