EffiSpray: Development of an Innovative Decision Support System for Increasing Spraying Application Efficiency

How could modern agriculture become more sustainable? A major and integral part of intensive farming is spraying application. However, sprayings may significantly jeopardize environmental and human safety if not applied under optimal meteorological parameters. EffiSpray application, available in https://www.effispray.com, comes to indicate the appropriateness of environmental circumstances for achieving an effective spraying application, by considering ambient temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and wind speed for suggesting the suitability for spraying application for the following 5 days. Results are presented in a colored interactive map, structured in a four-layered model consisting of different levels (green for optimal spraying conditions, yellow for acceptable spraying conditions, orange for emergency spraying only, and red for spraying avoidance). Thus, interested end-users such as farmers, agronomists, advisors, and stakeholders involved in the agricultural production can freely access EffiSpray either online via the web tool, or by downloading the smartphone application available in Google Play without any financial charges. EffiSpray has been developed aiming to solemnly operate as a valuable tool in the hands of its users for increasing sustainability and efficiency of agricultural practices exercised.

Keywords: Spraying application; Precision agriculture; Smart agriculture; Decision support; DSS; Environmental parameters; Interactive map; Environmental impact; Human health