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Field evaluation of a self‐propelled sprayer and effects of the application rate on spray deposition and losses to the ground in greenhouse tomato crops
Author(s) -
SánchezHermosilla Julián,
Rincón Víctor J,
Páez Francisco,
Agüera Francisco,
Carvajal Fernando
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.2135
Subject(s) - sprayer , boom , environmental science , deposition (geology) , greenhouse , spray characteristics , canopy , environmental engineering , agronomy , spray nozzle , nozzle , engineering , geology , botany , biology , aerospace engineering , paleontology , sediment
BACKGROUND: In the greenhouses of south‐eastern Spain, plant protection products are applied using mainly sprayers at high pressures and high volumes. This results in major losses on the ground and less than uniform spray deposition on the canopy. Recently, self‐propelled vehicles equipped with vertical spray booms have appeared on the market. In this study, deposition on the canopy and the losses to the ground at different spray volumes have been compared, using a self‐propelled vehicle with vertical spray booms versus a gun sprayer. Three different spray volumes have been tested with a boom sprayer, and two with a spray gun. RESULTS: The vehicle with the vertical spray boom gave similar depositions to those made with the gun, but at lower application volumes. Also, the distribution of the vertical spray boom was more uniform, with lower losses to the ground. CONCLUSIONS: The vertical spray booms used in tomato crops improve the application of plant protection products with respect to the spray gun, reducing the application volumes and the environmental risks of soil pollution. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry