Role of spray application in IPM pome fruit crops

To show where differences exist between a CDS-sprayer and a standard application technique spray deposition measurements were done in apple and pear orchards. The CDS-sprayer used was a KWH cross-flow fan orchard sprayer equipped with a variable air support system (VLOS), a LIDAR laser scanner measuring the size and density of the pear tree canopy, and a variable dosing system based on Lechler VarioSelect nozzle bodies containing pneumatically switchable sets of two standard hollow cone nozzles and two spray drift reducing venturi hollow cone nozzles. The KWH-CDS sprayer can at three height levels in the tree adapt spray volume in four steps to the leaf development of the fruit crop.