Spatially variable rate herbicide application on durum wheat in Sicily

Using the conventional farming system, durum wheat requires high rates of herbicide spraying. Herbicide residues can cause pollution of soil and ground water and, therefore, of the entire environment. In order to minimise the environmental impact of herbicides, a home-made system for spatially variable rate crop input application was designed and developed. This system consists of a differential global positioning system (DGPS), a portable computer, specifically developed software and a device for applying rates proportionally related to the machine forward speed. Tests of spatially variable rate herbicide application were carried out in inland Sicily, on a field of 8.4ha (where a 3-yr crop rotation of broad bean/vetch, durum wheat and durum wheat was practised), using a sprayer modified for applying variable rates and equipped with the above-mentioned system. The results are promising. The spatially variable rate herbicide application allowed an almost even grain yield over the entire field and a saving of 29% of herbicides with respect to the amounts normally used with the conventional farming system. (C) 2004 Silsoe Research Institute. All rights reserved Published by Elsevier Ltd.