Evaluationof compact air-induction flat fan nozzles for herbicide applications: Spray drift and biological efficacy

Abstract

Nozzles are the most critical component of a sprayer for pesticide applications. Recently, air-induction nozzles and twin flat-fan air-induction nozzles have started to be used for herbicide applications. In order to evaluate the potential of compact air-induction nozzles for herbicide spraying, this paper compares the effects of air-induction nozzles and standard flat-fan nozzles on spray atomization, deposition, drift, and weed control efficacy in maize and wheat. Droplet spectra were measured by a laser particle size analyzer, and drift potential values were determined using a drift test bench (ISO 22401). A field study was conducted to compare the spray drift and biological efficacy between Lechler standard flat-fan nozzles and compact air-induction nozzles including different nozzle sizes. In the range from 0.2 to 0.4 MPa, the droplet size classes of the LU and ST nozzles were very similar and ranged from fine to very fine, while the droplets of the air-induction nozzles IDK and IDKT were medium or coarse depending on the spray pressure and nozzle size. The drift potential trials showed that the droplet size characteristics, mainly V100, are strongly linked with the drift reduction potential. Both drift potential and field results showed that the compact air-induction nozzles had a good performance in drift reduction. In terms of weed control biological efficacy, there were no significant differences between standard flat-fan nozzles and air-induction nozzles. In all cases, the efficacy values were above 80% both in maize and in wheat. In conclusion, air-induction nozzles are recommended for herbicide applications as they provide good biological efficacy while significantly reducing the amount of spray drift, which is of great significance for the protection of the environment and the surrounding sensitive crops.

Control of Urochloa decumbens Using Glyphosate Applied by Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Ground Sprayer with Different Spray Nozzles

“…Wang et al [ 62 ] observed that there was no significant difference for the biological efficacy in weed control in wheat crops for different standard flat spray nozzles and air-induced flat spray nozzles. In all cases, the efficacy values were greater than 80%.…”

Chemical Weed Control and Crop Injuries Due to Spray Drift: The Case of Dicamba

“…Low-drift nozzle selection is very important in order to minimize spraying drift. Lately, several compact anti-drift air-induction nozzles have been studied and used since they can result in significant spray drift reduction while keeping high efficacy against weeds [35][36][37]. Ferreira et al [29] proved that the MUG11003 nozzle produced fewer driftable droplets and greater droplet size compared to other air induction nozzles.…”

Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Pesticide Application in Soybean Crop

“…Alheidary [29], while studying different types of spray nozzles, found that the hollow cone spray nozzle resulted in the best deposition (0.06 µL cm −2 ) compared to other nozzle types (flat fan and air-induction flat fan) under the same operating conditions for ground application using a knapsack sprayer. Wang et al [30] found that air-induction nozzles performed better than standard flat fan nozzles, in general, for boom sprayer application in terms of increased deposition. The authors believe that the increased deposition was related to a greater potential for drift reduction.…”