An equipment kit was developed to map areas infested with aquatic macrophytes providing support to mechanical control operations performed by a harvester particularly developed for this purpose. The equipment kit consisted of a GPS with differential correction program connected to a palmtop, a system with two keyboards coupled to dataloggers, and an LT, linear displacement transducer. Through the palmtop, the GPS provided a mapping of the displacement area, helping the machine operator move the harvester, optimizing the operation and thus preventing overlapping of the collecting areas. One of the keyboards monitored the machine movement and operation,as well as the presence of obstacles, such as stumps or sand benches. The other keyboard generated data on the presence of particular plants, such as E. densa, E. najas and C. demersum, as well as their infestation level. The transducer installed in the frontal platform of the machine moved linearly, generating data on harvest depth. It was shown that the development of this equipment kit was advantageous and helped the mechanical control operation in the areas infested with submerged aquatic macrophytes, thus allowing to plan subsequent management operations and control.
macrophytes; mechanical control; GPS
