Spray Coverage and Biological Efficacy of Single, Twin Symmetrical, and Twin Asymmetrical Flat Fan Nozzles

Abstract

Proper selection of nozzle type and spray volume is essential to optimize herbicide dose, reducing its adverse environmental effects. It has not been sufficiently evaluated which nozzle type (twin symmetrical flat fan nozzle or the twin asymmetrical one) is more efficient and whether pinoxaden application is more efficient at a low or high spray volume. The spray coverage of a single, twin symmetrical, and twin asymmetrical flat fan nozzles, each in the sizes of 110015, 11002, 110025, 11003, 11004, and 11005 on the moisture-sensitive papers (MSPs) was investigated. The biological efficacy of treatments using pinoxaden against wild oat was investigated. Unlike other nozzle types, the single flat fan nozzle could not cover MSP placed vertically behind the nozzle trajectory. Except for the latter, each nozzle type could cover the MSPs more efficiently with increase in nozzle size. Generally, the nozzles’ performance was twin symmetrical > single = twin asymmetrical flat fan nozzles. A larger nozzle size improved the coverage of MSPs but increased the effective dose (ED50; dose that gives a 50% reduction in dry weight), indicating a decrease in the efficacy of pinoxaden. Among all treatments, the lowest ED50 value was obtained by the twin symmetrical flat fan nozzle 110015 (5.2 g a.i. ha−1). The smaller, more concentrated droplets are required to achieve optimal pinoxaden efficacy against wild oat, which can be provided by a twin symmetrical flat fan nozzle with a smaller size.

Journal of Plant Protection Research

“…fallen into the target area, but leached). Thus, the leaching of an herbicide can not only pollute groundwater but also decrease herbicide efficacy (López-Piñeiro et al 2013;Aliverdi and Borghei 2021). Shifting from extensive to intensive potato cultivation systems (FAO 2018) can presumably increase the use of metribuzin and intensify its non-target effects.…”