Effect of Nozzle Type on Spray Drift in Banding Application

Abstract

The most important problem that faces spraying application process in the field is spray losses as result to spray drift to non target areas by action of air flow. Spray drift from conventional TeeJet even flat nozzle TPE and Drift Guard Even flat nozzle DGE (pre orifice nozzle) for banding application was investigated and compared under wind tunnel conditions. This paper examined effect nozzle heights 50 and 60 cm on spray drift. To determine the effect of wind speed on spray drift, wind tunnel was used to product three cross wind speeds 1, 2 and 3m/s. According to the results from this study, nozzle type affected significantly the spray drift. Increasing wind speeds had a high significant effect on increasing the spray drift. Nozzle height affected significantly the spray drift, the closer the nozzle is to the ground, the more the likelihood of spray drift is minimized. This study supports the use of nozzle type DGE as a means for minimizing spray drift.