Aware - Reducing pesticide-related water pollution by improving crop protection practices

The project aimed to use embedded ICT technologies to develop a methodology for reducing the amount of pesticides introduced into the environment. More specifically, the project developed a prototype embedded pesticide geo-referenced data recorder for tractors and sprayers used by wine growers. This monitoring device records precisely the amount and type of chemical used during the spraying season. The project also constructed an environmentally friendly pesticide filling station and fitted all tractors used with rinsing tanks. The data recorder and data-processing software were tested on 21 French- and Spanish-owned sprayers. It is estimated that the device could reduce pesticide use by 50% at the early vegetation stage and 30% with grown vegetation, allowing a 30% reduction in pesticide lost on the ground.

The project also adapted the MHYDAS pollution transfer model to the Neffiés catchment area. The model will be used by extension services and stakeholders to simulate and analyse the impact of changes in spraying practices on the contamination of surface water in France and Europe.