EQUIPMENT FOR VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN ORCHARDS, WITH SENSORIAL CONTROL USING LIDAR

The development of Agriculture 4.0 is a current and future concern, which has also been extended in the field of equipment intended for maintenance work in fruit plantations. The achievement of high-performance equipment, in the context of climate changes, can ensure the timely and high-quality completion of the works in the fruit plantations, but also ensure the protection of the trees, to increase the life span and fruiting period of the fruit trees. From all of this, the research team carried out applied research for the development of an integrated technology and technical equipment for mowing the floor vegetation in orchards. Integrating high technology into the maintenance technology of orchards, plant material can be obtained that will form the basis of mulch production, which will be used in organic fertilization technologies of orchards/vineyards. The development of Agriculture 4.0 is a current and future concern, which has also been extended to the field of machinery for maintenance work in orchards. The realization of high-performance machines, in the context of climate changes, can ensure the timely and quality completion of the works in the orchards, but also the protection of the trees, to increase the life span and fruiting period of the trees. The research team carried out applied research for the development of an integrated technology and technical equipment for mowing the orchard floor vegetation. The advantage of this technology, which integrates LiDAR technology, is the fact that the tree trunks will not be damaged, so the potential for diseases to occur in the bark of the trees decreases, favouring the obtaining of rich fruit harvests.