Research on spray nozzles from the Agrotop TDXL series for drift reduction classification : TDXL 80-015, TDXL 80-02 and TDXL-D 110-02

In this study, the nozzle types Agrotop TDXL 80-015, TDXL 80-02 and TDXL-D 110-02 were investigated to classify their drift reduction potential for downward spray applications (at 2, 3 and 3 bar spraying pressure, respectively). The uniformity of the spray distribution was tested on a patternator for the appropriate nozzle height (default height 0.50 m; for the 80-degree nozzles lowered to 0.30 m). For all three nozzle types the resulting coefficient of variation (CV) was less than 10%. Droplet size measurements were done using a PDPA system and the resulting droplet size spectra and droplet velocities were used in the IDEFICS spray drift model. Spray drift deposits on a standardized ditch were computed, as well as the corresponding drift reductions compared to the reference situation. According to the current classification system for drift reducing nozzles, the drift reduction capability of all nozzle types must be evaluated at nozzle height 0.50 m above the crop. At this nozzle height and a nozzle spacing of 0.50 m, nozzle type TDXL-D 110-02 could be classified as 75% drift-reducing (DRD75) at liquid pressure of 3 bar. At a nozzle spacing of 0.25 m, the nozzle types TDXL 80-015 and TDXL 80-02 could also be classified as DRD75, at a nozzle pressure of 2 and 3 bar, respectively. Therefore, these 80-degree nozzle types are eligible to be used as DRD75 nozzles at the given liquid pressures in the drift-reducing technique (DRT) of ‘lowered sprayer boom’.