Autonomous UV Light Treatment Robotic System to

Suppress Funguses in a Vineyard

Intro

The proposal is to fabricate and test a new concepted autonomous robotic UV treatment system to suppress vineyard pathogens including Botrytis Bunch Rot, Powdery Mildew, and Downy Mildew. Using precision agriculture and UV light at night will reduce fungicide usage and lessen fungicide resistance.



Overview

Overview

Treatment of grape vines for fungus diseases is essential for crop production of grapes and for the health of the grapevine plant itself. Grape production greatly decreases with the existence of damaging funguses. Many of the funguses will eventually kill the plant. Powdery Mildew and Downy Mildew and other fungal diseases can become resistance to fungicides even if different chemicals are rotated every year or during the growing season. Cost of chemicals are ever increasing and cutting into the bottom line of the grape grower but an electrical powered solution is more cost effective. The proposed UV-C tunnel can also be used in other trellised berry fields and trellised dwarf apple orchards to control fire blight. This project will concentrate on grapes. Safety of vineyard workers and people’s health is the highest concern when fungicides are handled and sprayed. Less chemical use means less damage to the environment.

SDSU Team Members

Mechanical Engineering Senior Project

Electrical Engineering Senior Project