CONDITIONS OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION ON BLUEBERRY ORCHARDS (VACCINIUM SPP.) IN THE PROVINCE OF ÑUBLE, CHILE

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to establish the conditions under which pesticides are applied to blueberry orchards in the province of Ñuble, Chile, in order to appropriately address the training activities offered to the application equipment operators. In order to achieve this objective a field survey of 15 orchards located in the central area of the province was carried out during 2008, obtaining  data from the owners, orchard managers and technical personnel in charge of the pesticide applications. The results showed an aged sprayer and tractor park, application volumes higher than needed, problems
with the working pressure and lack of important operator safety dispositives. The future training programs should emphasize the importance of modern equipment, capable of maintaining the work pressure constant, to use lower application volumes and more safety equipment to protect the Operators