ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase II: 8.13

Description

In response to global population growth expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050 advanced data- driven agriculture is enabling farmers to grow more and better food with less labor water andpesticides and less harm to the environment. ISCA Technologies seeks to further this trend ofprecision agriculture by developing SPLAT UAV technology a novel method of insect pestcontrol: the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to apply extreme-low-volumes (0.1-1.5 L/ha)of safe semiochemicals (e.g. species-specific insect sex-pheromones) to suppress pestpopulations before they cause major crop damage. In this Phase II project we will continue todevelop pheromone formulation applicators that can be attached easily to commercially availableUAVs and controlled remotely facilitating timely precise and automated field applications. ISCA® will use UAVs to apply its Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology (SPLAT ) toa variety of agricultural crops. SPLAT is a controlled-release matrix made of food-grade materialscapable of releasing in the field consistent levels of semiochemicals that are biologically effectivefor weeks to months at a time as the matrix slowly degrades. While most other pheromone-basedtechnologies currently require dispenser devices—such as puffers rubber septa and bubble caps— that must be deployed by hand SPLAT is a long lasting sprayable formulation amenable toapplication by a range of mechanized technologies including piloted aircraft. Use of UAVs willgreatly expand the utility of SPLAT aerial applications enabling safe and inexpensive control forvarious insect pests in farms growing all kinds of crops at any scale and on any type of terrain.This technology will be of particular value on mid-scale (10-1000 ha) farms some of which aretoo small for traditional aircraft applications or too large for manual application to be feasible.Phase I studies have produced strong proof of the proposed concept. ISCA's engineersevaluated several available UAV frames and flight control systems capable of carrying aerialSPLAT applicators at the required level of flight longevity and stability. This research teamselected the DJI MG-1S UAV with an A3 flight controller after this model demonstrated an abilityto fly at programmed heights above crops with a high degree of accuracy and precision. Ourengineers then designed and built an applicator prototype and tested it with the MG-1S on almondgroves in Southern California. This system delivered SPLAT NOW a pheromone-based controlof navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella) at a rate of 6 acres per 10-min flight a substantial timereduction compared to manual application which took place at a rate of 0.25 acres in 10 min.In Phase II we will optimize our SPLAT UAV application system by increasing the ease offield delivery planning automating flight path rate of delivery of the product obstacle avoidanceand improving the software interface to make it more intuitive to the user. We will test thisoptimized applicator prototype in large-scale trials of SPLAT formulations targeting multiple mothpest species including codling moth (Cydia pomonella) a pest of apples and pears; Oriental fruitmoth (Grapholita molesta) a pest of orchard fruit; cranberry fruitworm (Acrobasis vaccinii)which feeds on cranberries; grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) a pest of vineyards and fallarmyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) which is destructive to a broad range of row crops. We expectto demonstrate that semiochemical-based pest controls applied by UAVs can provide equal orbetter pest control than manual applications or traditional pesticide cover sprays at comparablecosts without any of the latter's negative environment