At the University of Arkansas Plant Pathology Department, Michael Emerson plays a critical role in field trial research. As an Associate in the department, he continuously seeks ways to improve efficiency and accuracy in his planting and spraying processes. Since around 2017, Emerson has relied on Harvest Master’s Alvo system to streamline operations, enhance precision, and minimize human error.
Alvo – More Than Just a Sprayer
Many people think of Alvo as strictly a sprayer tool, but Emerson has taken full advantage of its versatility. He has successfully mounted it on a Corn Sprayer, a Mud Master Sprayer, and a Planter. Using Alvo’s software, he sprays foliar fungicides on corn, peanuts, and soybeans and conducts in-furrow treatments on soybeans, peanuts, cotton, and corn.
Before integrating Alvo, Emerson had to conduct one treatment at a time, manually flipping toggle switches and rigging multiple hoses for different treatments. This process was cumbersome and prone to errors. After learning from Harvest Master that Alvo could be used on sprayers and on planters, he fully transitioned to the system, drastically improving efficiency.
Enhancing Research Efficiency
The integration of Alvo has revolutionized Emerson’s planting process, eliminating significant human error and increasing productivity. Previously, multiple personnel were needed for tasks like mixing chemicals, rinsing bottles, flipping switches, and driving. Now, fewer people can accomplish the same workload with greater efficiency.
Alvo has particularly improved the application of inferno nematicides by ensuring more precise and faster treatments. Before using Alvo, Emerson’s team had to repeat trials due to insufficient boom coverage, requiring manual renumbering of maps. Now they can simply reassign treatment numbers to booms in Mirus and efficiently reapply treatments without manually remapping, since Mirus does that for them, saving valuable time and reducing errors.
A Plug-and-Play Solution for Greater Versatility
One of the most significant advantages Emerson has found with Alvo is its adaptability. By mounting it on a planter, he has demonstrated how Alvo can be more than just a sprayer system. The plug-and-play functionality allows it to be moved between different equipment as needed, expanding its use across various agricultural applications.
Michael Emerson’s experience showcases how Alvo is redefining efficiency in field research. By reducing manual labor, improving accuracy, and enabling multi-use functionality, Alvo continues to be an invaluable tool in modern agricultural research.
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