Quality Evaluation of the Operation of the XAG R 150 Autonomous Sprayer in Currant Cultivation

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of the XAG R150 autonomous platform for spraying black currant crops. The research was conducted in two stages. In the first part, laboratory tests were performed to determine the uniformity of spray application by the spray module of the platform which consists of a nozzle with adjustable size of droplets generated and a variable-speed fan. The tests were conducted on a vertical spray patternator for evaluating the uniformity of liquid application by orchard sprayers. In the second stage, a trial spray was carried out on a black currant plantation. The quality of liquid application in the sprayed area of black currant bushes was checked using water-sensitive paper. Laboratory tests showed that the spray stream of liquid carried by the air stream is narrow and is 0.4 m wide, but uniform. Therefore, it is necessary to switch on the variable position of the spray module for spraying. The spray module has three ranges of droplet size. Field tests using water-sensitive papers have shown that the degree of coverage of plants by the spray is equal to at least 80%.