Characterization of droplet impact and deposit formation on leaf surfaces

BACKGROUND Elucidation of droplet dynamic impact and deposit formation on leaf surfaces would assist in modifying application strategies potentially to improve biological control efficiency and minimize pesticide waste. RESULTS The mechanics of the three‐dimensional droplet impact and formation proc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pest management science 2015-02, Vol.71 (2), p.302-308
Main Authors: Dong, Xiang, Zhu, Heping, Yang, Xuejun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adjuvant
biological control
Dracaena fragrans
droplet rebound
droplets
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Herbicides - chemistry
high-speed image
hydrophilicity
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
hydrophobicity
Leaves
mechanics
nonionic surfactants
Particle Size
Pest control
pesticide spray
Pesticides
Plant Leaves - chemistry
retention
Solutions - chemistry
Surface Properties
Surface-Active Agents - chemistry
Surfactants
wastes
Zea mays
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Summary:BACKGROUND Elucidation of droplet dynamic impact and deposit formation on leaf surfaces would assist in modifying application strategies potentially to improve biological control efficiency and minimize pesticide waste. RESULTS The mechanics of the three‐dimensional droplet impact and formation process on hydrophilic and hydrophobic leaf surfaces was investigated with a system that independently controlled droplet diameter, impact speed and impact angle. Spray solutions were made with a nonionic surfactant in distilled water. Water‐only droplets rebounded or splashed on hydrophobic leaves of Euphorbia pulcherrima and Zea mays, but not on hydrophilic Dracaena deremensis leaves. Droplet spread areas on D. deremensis at 5.0 m s−1 impact speed increased 1.9‐fold when the droplet diameter was increased from 175 to 481 µm. Similarly, spread areas of 306 µm water‐only droplets increased 2.0‐fold when the impact speed was increased from 3.5 to 7.0 m s−1. At surfactant concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% (v/v), percentages of droplets that either splashed or bounced off Z. mays were 56, 37, 2 and 0% respectively. CONCLUSION Microscopic measurements of droplet impact clarified the effectiveness of surfactants in enhancing droplet retention on hydrophobic leaves and also revealed that water droplets did not rebound or splash on hydrophilic leaves. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
ISSN:1526-498X
1526-4998
DOI:10.1002/ps.3806