Evaluation of spray drift with an experimental ultrasonic sensor sprayer in a dwarf apple orchard

• Published in: New Zealand plant protection 2015-01, Vol.68, p.439-439
• Main Authors: Roten, R.L., Praat, J.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1175-9003; 1179-352X
• DOI: 10.30843/nzpp.2015.68.5841

Dwarf apple trees are becoming more common in New Zealand due to their easier maintenance and more efficient production However this may increase the risk of spray drift if orchardists do not adjust spraying practices to match shorter dwarf varieties of fruit trees as compared with larger more traditional canopies as dwarf trees have less foliage to intercept spray A study was carried out to examine the offtarget movement of the spray plume from a conventional airblast sprayer as compared with an experimental ultrasonic sensor sprayer in a dwarf apple canopy The experimental sensor sprayer was set up to respond to the target canopy Three treatments were carried out including a conventional Typhoon 1500 orchard sprayer and a single row ultrasonic sensor sprayer with either sensors ON or OFF Each sprayer was set to deliver 500 litres/ha of a 04 g/litre concentration of a fluorescent dye (PTSA 1368pyrenetetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt) The drift was quantified by using a series of mylar cards Petri dishes and fishing nylon Results indicated a 24 decrease of deposited drift from 1 to 100 m with the sensors turned on and a 5 increase with the sensors off as compared to the conventional sprayer