Driftreductie Lochmann dwarsstroomspuit met Air Closing System: Metingen 2019-2020

Results of spray drift experiments are presented of the Lochmann cross-flow fan orchard sprayer equipped with an Air Closing System (ACS) and adapted low air assistance level in comparison with a reference spray technique for fruit crop spraying in The Netherlands. The Lochmann cross-flow fan orchard sprayer with ACS was equipped with 90% drift reducing nozzles (Albuz TVI 8001; 7 bar spray pressure). During the spray drift experiments, performed in 2019-2020, the downwind outside 24 m of an apple orchard was sprayed at the full leaf stage (BBCH 75-91) using the fluorescent tracer Acid Yellow 250. Spray drift deposition was collected downwind on a mowed grass area up to 25 m distance from the last tree row. Airborne spray drift was measured at 7.5 m distance from the last tree row on a pole at which two lines with collectors were attached at 1 m spacing up to 10 m height. For the Lochmann cross-flow fan orchard sprayer equipped with Air Closing System, adapted low air assistance level and 90% drift reducing nozzles spray drift reduction at 4.5-5.5 m distance from the last tree row was 99.4% in comparison with the reference spray application.