Drift reduction and efficacy of orchard spraying with a sensor-equipped cross-flow sprayer

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademic

    Abstract

    It is important to reduce drift of pesticides in order to minimise environmental pollution, especially pollution of surface water during spray application. In orchard spraying part of the spraying liquid is not applied on the target tree, due to gaps between the trees. With (infrared) sensors these gaps in the tree fruit wall can be detected. Nozzles, connected to the sensors, are closed when no target is detected. In 2000 and 2001 experiments were carried out to determine drift reduction of sensor guided orchard spraying. Also spray volume savings of the sensor-equipped sprayer were determined. In addition, the biological efficacy of sensor guided spraying against apple scab, powdery mildew, and apple blossom weevil was evaluated in a field trial. Spray drift reductions of 20% and 50% were achieved for nearly bare trees and for fully developed canopy, respectively. Pesticides savings were more than 25%. In the one year trial, biological efficacy was comparable to conventional applications.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the VII Workshop on spray application techniques in fruit growing, Cueno, Italy, 25 - 27 June, 2003
    Place of PublicationCuneo, Italy
    Pages247-255
    Number of pages7
    Publication statusPublished - 2003
    EventVII Workshop on spray application techniques in fruit growing -
    Duration: 25 Jun 200327 Jun 2003

    Workshop

    WorkshopVII Workshop on spray application techniques in fruit growing
    Period25/06/0327/06/03

    Keywords

    • spray drift
    • biological efficacy
    • apple scab
    • air assistance
    • one-sided spraying

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