The effects of unmanned control systems for optimum pest control in protected paprika cultivation facilities

In this study, the spraying effects of unmanned controllers for the efficient control and safe use of pesticides in protected paprika cultivation facilities were reviewed. Whether or not pesticides were deposited and the quantities of active components and pest control effects of the pesticides according to the plant length and locations of paprika were examined. Experimental plots consisting of nine sections (comprising three repetitions of three different experimental chemical treatments) were arranged in a 13,500 m2 wide test field to conducts experiments with Leveillula taurica, Bemisia tabaci, and Aphis gossypii that occurred in protected paprika cultivation facilities. Deposit degrees following pesticide spraying with unmanned fogging type controllers were measured; according to the results, water-sensitive papers showed a deposit rate of 100% in all experimental plots. With regard to pest control, when Pyrifluquinazon 6.5% SC was sprayed, 93.5% of Bemisia tabaci was controlled and 93.9% of Aphis gossypii was controlled. In the case of Leveillula taurica, diseased leaf rates were examined 7 days after the final treatment with Fluopyram 40% SC; the results showed that, as chemical control effects, diseased leaf rates were 52.2% in untreated plots while being approximately 8.8% in the treated plots, indicating that the control value was at least 83.2%. According to the results of examination of the quantities of active components on the front and rear of the leaves, chemical effects persisted when the quantities of active components on the front and rear of the leaves were on average 1.30 (μg/50 cm²) and 1.05 (μg/50 cm²) respectively, in the case of spraying of Fluopyram 40% SC; when the quantities of active components on the front and rear of the leaves were on average 0.62 (μg/50 cm²), 0.49 (μg/50 cm²), respectively, in the case of spraying of Pyrifluquinazon 6.5% SC; the overall deposit amounts on the front and rear were not considerably different.