Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare spray deposition in field crops using different application methods. Field trials were carried out in potato and winter wheat crops. A tracer dye (Nigrosin WLF, Bayer) was added to the spray liquid, and deposition was measured on leaves at three different levels in the crop and plastic objects placed on the ground. The leaves/objects were rinsed in water and deposition was quantified with spectrophotometer measurements. Four different application methods were compared: a conventional sprayer, air-assistance (Hardi Twin), in-built spray with crop opener (Lehner-boom) and last a nozzle-sledge developed at the Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Department of Agricultural Engineering. The last three methods all improved canopy penetration. In some cases the ground deposition increased as a consequence of improved penetration. At 100 l/ha application rate in winter wheat the nozzle-sledge improved the deposition on the ear-leaf compared to the other application methods, and at 200 l/ha air-assistance improved deposition on the ear-leaf compared to conventional application. On the second and third leaves there were no significant differences between the application methods. The nozzle-sledge decreased ground deposition compared to the other methods in all cases but one. At 200 l/ha application rate the nozzle-sledge and air-assistance gave equal ground deposition. The measurements in potatoes showed that air-assistance, Lehner-boom and nozzle-sledge all improved canopy penetration compared to conventional application, The nozzle-sledge yielded highest penetration. Using conventional and nozzle-sledge application resulted in ground depositions between 15% and 20% of applied spray. The sprayers equipped with air-assistance and Lehner-boom increased ground deposition to between 25% and 35% of applied spray liquid. The investigation has shown that there is a potential to more effective and hence reduced doses of agrochemicals by using modern application technology. Still though, there is a lack of important knowledge in this area and further research is needed.

Keywords

sprutvätska

Published in

Rapport - Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Institutionen för lantbruksteknik
1997,
Publisher: Institutionen för lantbruksteknik, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/125829