Spraying with selective technology in Argentina generates savings

By Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages

Agronomist Esteban Bilbao, from Agroestudio Viento Sur SRL, points out that there has been an expressive growth in the use of technology for the selective application of agrochemicals in Argentina in 2020. 

According to him, with the use of intelligent spraying, the amount of herbicides needed for weed control decreases on average between 65% and 75%, reaching 98% in extreme cases.

Bilbao, who is a member of the Pest Management Network (REM), said that the selective application of pesticides not only reduces the amount of herbicides applied but also achieves greater control. That is because there is no need to wait for the weeds grow to do a great spray.

During the event Agroactiva Virtual, the agronomist revealed that the maximum adoption of this technology occurs in northern Argentine regions, such as Chaco and Santiago del Estero, where there is a significant cost in the applications. There are currently around 280 spraying applications in these areas with targeted application technology, including Weed IT and Weed Seeker, with a national product, Eco Sniper by Milar, about to enter the market.

Bilbao pointed out that the biggest obstacle to the adoption of this technology in Argentina was the cost, which varies between US$120,000 and $180,000. But the technician explained that the investment “ends up paying for itself with herbicide savings”.

“In all areas, we can adopt technology, which in the very short term can help us halve the application of chemicals,” the specialist from Agroestudio Viento Sur SRL highlighted. According to him, “something fundamental” is to calibrate the equipment, measuring the diameter of the weed to be detected while “The monitoring must be adequate to these new technologies”.

The index (Cornell University's EIQ) is also used to measure environmental impact. “This index measures the environmental impact on the environment, the operator and the consumer. We are achieving 78% less environmental impacts than with a full coverage application,” he said in conclusion.