A Smart Apply Case Study: Field Evaluation by the Polytechnic University of Madrid

THE OPPORTUNITY

Effective foliar spraying in orchards and vineyards depends on matching spray volume to the amount of leaf surface in the canopy. However, canopy structure naturally varies due to growth stage, pruning, and environmental conditions, creating differences in canopy size and density throughout a field. Conventional air-blast sprayers cannot respond to this variability in real time. Most operate with a single pressure valve controlling the entire hydraulic circuit, meaning all nozzles spray at the same pressure regardless of the actual canopy volume. As a result, areas with little or no vegetation often receive unnecessary spray, leading to wasted inputs and uneven coverage.

To better understand how precision spray technology could address these challenges, the LPF-TAGRALIA research group at the Polytechnic University of Madrid conducted a field evaluation of the Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control System™ in orange orchards and vineyards. The study examined how Smart Apply could adjust spray volume to real canopy variability while maintaining effective leaf coverage.

System creates and archives a digital document on chemical savings, tree counts, rows/tracts sprayed and more.

THE SOLUTION

The Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control System™ was mounted on a TEYME EOLO GTE10 hydropneumatic sprayer and evaluated across rows with varying canopy density and structure. Using LiDAR canopy sensing and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) nozzle control, the system adjusts spray output in real time based on the size and density of vegetation detected. As the sprayer moved through each row, Smart Apply’s LiDAR sensor measured canopy height, width, and density to create a three-dimensional profile of the plants. The system translated this canopy data into individual nozzle commands, allowing each nozzle to pulse and deliver spray only where vegetation was present while automatically closing over canopy gaps.

The results demonstrated significant input savings while maintaining effective coverage levels. Compared to conventional spraying methods, Smart Apply reduced spray volume by approximately 66.6% in orange orchards and 49.3% in vineyards. The system also showed strong repeatability across multiple passes, confirming its ability to consistently match spray output to canopy structure while reducing unnecessary overspray.

Smart Apply uses LiDAR to identify individual tree geometry before applying chemicals.

To explore the full study, read the complete article from the Polytechnic University of Madrid here:

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