Optimization of spraying techniques to reduce impact of pesticides

J.C. van de Zande*, M. Wenneker, A.T. Nieuwenhuizen, J.M.G.P. Michielsen, H. Stallinga, P. van Velde

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingAbstract

Abstract

When applying pesticides the plant protection product (PPP) is distributed over the target and some losses do occur towards the soil surface underneath the crop and to the environment because of spray drift. An example is given for the infield spray distribution of arable crop and fruit crop spraying. An overview is given of spray drift research in the Netherlands for the past 25 years. For the Netherlands the state-of-the-art of the spray drift data is described and standard drift curves are presented for boom spraying in field crops and cross-flow fan spraying in fruit crops. Based on the crop growth situations spray drift deposition curves are discriminated in early and late spray applications (bare soil/dormant tree, full developed leaf canopy) to determine the exposure to surface water. The potential of Drift Reducing Technology (DRT) is presented. A matrix approach was developed to assess spray drift exposure combining classes of Drift Reducing Technology (for drift reduction classes 50, 75, 90 and 95) and stepwise widths of crop-free buffer zones. The methodology of using the matrix structure is discussed for the assessment of drift deposition on surface water and non-target areas for downward sprayed field crops (arable) and sideward and upward sprayed fruit crops. Also attention is paid to airborne spray drift giving potential risk to bystanders and residents. Similar approaches as for surface water can be setup to reduce the risk for bystanders and residents close to sprayed fields. The use of the classification of DRT for bystanders is highlighted.

New spray techniques more and more make use of sensors to detect and quantify e.g. the place and amount of crop canopy. Accordingly variable rate application techniques (VRA) are developed taking into account the change in crop canopy volume during the growing season. This influences spray distribution over crop canopy and biological efficacy and therefore dose adaptations are needed. Most of these Canopy Density Spraying (CDS) techniques reduce spray volume during the crop growing season and therefore applied dose to the field. This influences therefore also the emission of PPP to the environment as spray drift is from smaller applied areas in the field or originating from lower spray volumes as intended. As spray volumes in the field are lower and applied more on the target, the crop canopy; as a result less spray deposits on the soil surface underneath crop canopy. These VRA or CDS spray techniques therefore also reduce the potential drainage to the soil water and through the drainage system to the surface water. CDS techniques lead to higher levels of emission reduction through an adding up the classified spray drift reduction of the application technique itself and the spray volume or use reduction through the applications in practice. The potential of using this methodology; emission reduction = spray drift reduction + use reduction, in the authorisation procedure of PPP is highlighted.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBook of abstracts Future IPM in Europe, PalaCongressi, Riva del Garda, Italy, 19-21 March 2013
Place of PublicationRiva del Garda, Italy
PublisherFondazione Edmund Mach
Pages26-26
Publication statusPublished - 2013
EventFuture IPM in Europe, PalaCongressi, Riva del Garda, Italy -
Duration: 19 Mar 201321 Mar 2013

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumFuture IPM in Europe, PalaCongressi, Riva del Garda, Italy
Period19/03/1321/03/13

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