Pesticide Reduction by a Riding-Type Pesticide Sprayer in Tea Fields that Makes Use of a Small Fog Nozzle and a Ventilator

Abstract

SummaryIn collaboration with Matsumotokiko Co., Ltd., we have developed a novel method for pesticide reduction using a riding-type pesticide sprayer (the "Kagoshima-style" pesticide sprayer) in tea fields that makes use of a small fog nozzle and a ventilator. This pesticide sprayer facilitates a marked reduction in the pesticide spray volume. It can also be installed in the conventional riding-type pest control machines and tractors.In the first year of examination, this novel method provided results equivalent to those of conventional methods. The influence of pesticide reduction on pest management remains to be elucidated. However, this technology presents possibilities of practical use.We would also like to advance the improvement of this method in order to correspond to tea fields in every region of the country.

Use of a Lower-Volume, Surface Pesticide Spray Conserves Spider Assemblages in a Tea Field

“…A lower-volume sprayer (Kagoshima-style MCS-KAGO3-2; Matsumoto Kiko Co., Ltd., Kagoshima, Japan) that makes use of a small fog nozzle and a ventilator was developed in 2013 for use in tea fields. Kakoki et al (2015) found that this lower-volume sprayer had equivalent effects to the conventional sprayer in terms of pest control, but reduced both pesticide and water use by 1/3–1/5. Moreover, Kakoki et al (2015) suggested that the application of lower-volume spraying to the plucking surface may help to protect natural enemies seeking refuge inside the leaf layer.…”

“… Kakoki et al (2015) found that this lower-volume sprayer had equivalent effects to the conventional sprayer in terms of pest control, but reduced both pesticide and water use by 1/3–1/5. Moreover, Kakoki et al (2015) suggested that the application of lower-volume spraying to the plucking surface may help to protect natural enemies seeking refuge inside the leaf layer. For example, it has been shown that the walking behavior of Linyphiidae spiders changes depending on whether the leaf they are moving along has been applied with deltamethrin ( Jagers op Akkerhuis 1994 ).…”