8A: CROP PROTECTION/CARE MACHINERY stem is not injured by a short exposure to

intense heat.
Crop Protection
○ Mechanical control – the use of tools,
● caring for crops to protect the plants from any implements, and machines to reduce or
pests or disease infestations to get maximum eliminate weeds and insects such as in
yield. land preparation, cultivation, and weeding.
● process of providing plants with the conditions
that will make them free of weeds, pests, and Chemical Control
diseases. ● Importance of Chemical Control
● Weeds are plants that grow side by side with ○ Chemical control is important and
the main crops. They are considered significant to minimize if not totally
unwanted plants since they are a nuisance to eradicate crop diseases, insects, and
the growth of crops. weeds to avoid crop losses
● On the other hand, pests could either be ○ e.g. 104 million tons of grains were saved
plants, animals, or viruses that are detrimental in 2015 in China (Songchao,2015)
not only to crops but also to humans. ○ The controlled area was recorded to more
● In the phenological stages of a crop, the than 80 million mu in China in 2015 The
growing stage between planting and flowering world consumption of around 3.5 million
constitutes the longest stay of crops in the tons of pesticide was estimated for 2020.
field. This is also the most vulnerable period ○ There is a need for efficient, precise
for the crop to get diseases. application technology and machinery.
● Weeds compete with the crops for ● Status of Agricultural Plant Protection
○ available light Machinery
○ moisture
○ space
○ nutrients
○ if left uncontrolled pests and diseases can
multiply above the economic threshold
● Methods of Controlling Pests
○ Cultural control – this is the application
and management of pests by manipulating
○ The pesticide development trend:
the environment or implementing
✓ Pesticides are grouped according to
preventive practices such as using plants
the types of pests they can eradicate:
that are resistant to pests, proper timing of
■ Insecticides - insects
planting, and crop rotation.
■ Herbicides - plants
○ Ecological control – this involves the
■ Rodenticides - rodents (rats and mice)
changing of the crop and the pests’
■ Molluscicide - (Mollusk)
environment that favors the survival of the
■ Bactericides - bacteria
crop such as flooding to kill insects and
■ Fungicides - fungi
weeds.
■ Larvicides - larvae
○ Biological control – this is the introduction
✓ Production amount decreases
of certain insects which feed on pests,
✓ Broad-spectrum:
application of chemosterilants to render
■ Sprayers - used to eliminate a variety
the male sterile, or planting of certain
of insects/ pests and diseases
plants whose odor drives pests away.
including those beneficial to the
○ Physiological control – this is the breeding
environment.
and planting of pest-resistant varieties.
■ Broad-spectrum pesticides. Eliminates
○ Chemical control – it involves the
pests and diseases including
application of chemicals to control weeds,
beneficial insects/plants aside from the
pests, and diseases.
target pests.
○ Flame control – the use of flame for the
✓ High efficiency
selective burning of weeds in crops whose
✓ Low toxicity &residual
 ○ The pesticide development trend:
✓ improve the rate of pesticide utilization
✓ high control effect
✓ reduce the amount of chemicals that
may contribute to pollution to the
environment, food, and water.
○ The machinery trend :
✓ intelligent target sprayer,
✓ electrostatic sprayer,
✓ recycling sprayer,
✓ wind assisted sprayer,
✓ aerial(UAV) plant protection.
● Summary of Agricultural Plant Protection
Machinery
○ Development of Agriculture
■ Primitive agriculture: simple farming
with rough stone, and clubs as the
tools, the initial stage of farming.
■ Traditional agriculture: use of manual,
animal, hand tools, and iron tools,
using the history of inherited farming
methods, cultural practices, and
technology. Low energy consumption
and low pollution.
■ Modern agriculture: use of machinery,
fertilizer, fuel, electricity, pesticides,
and other industrial auxiliaries. Use of
modern technology, management
theory, and operation methods for
maximum production efficiency.
■ Ecological agriculture: based on
ecology and natural laws, under the
premise of protecting and improving
the ecological environment, using
systematic engineering methods and
modern and advanced technologies
○ Application of Technology Development
■ Natural > Large capacity control >
Sustainable control > Pollution-free
control
○ Machinery Development
○ Methods of Control
■ Agricultural science and technology:
Improving the cultivation and farming
system, pests and diseases are
controlled through managing the
farmland by water conservation and
farming techniques. Effective, safe,
and economical, but often dependent
on the time, location, and seasonal
restrictions.
■ Biological control:
Beneficial microorganisms are used to
eliminate or suppress the occurrence
of pests and diseases. No pollution, no
harm to humans and animals, no
effect on the plant. Effects the area
greatly influenced by environmental
conditions
■ Physical control:
Use of temperature, ray, and other
physical factors. Seeding & soil heat
treatment & radiation treatments.
Effective, but the operations are
usually complex. Good values for no
environmental pollution.
■ Chemical control:
Use chemical pesticides to control
pests and diseases. Stable and rarely
subject to geographical and seasonal
restrictions. Mechanized spraying can
be used to improve operational
efficiency and the ability to cope with
sudden change, and can be applied in
large areas of pests and diseases.
Less pollution risk if used properly.
Chemical control is still the main
method of crop protection commonly
practiced worldwide. Applying
chemical pesticides using machinery is
to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of spraying operations.
Advanced technology and machinery
could improve the control effect,
efficiency of application, and reduce
the residue and pollution