Drift Reducing Sprayers -- Testing and Listing in Germany

Abstract

Drift is one of the main paths of plant protection products to non-target organisms. InGermany great efforts are made to reduce drift. Therefore sprayers are tested concerning their driftreducing ability in relation to the German basic drift values which have been determined on the basisof more than 180 drift trials with conventional sprayers. A classification system with classes of atleast 50 %, 75 % and 90 % drift reduction has been introduced. Sprayers which meet therequirements of the German guideline are listed in the list of drift reducing sprayers. Nearly all of thesprayers are equipped with air injection nozzles to produce larger droplets. In orchards and hopsfurther measures like shields on fan outlets, green detectors or tunnels are necessary to achieve therespective drift classes. Newer trials show that a drift reduction of 99 % in orchards is possible.