Optimization of spray deposition and Tetranychus urticae control with air assisted and electrostatic sprayer

Denise Tourino Rezende De Cerqueira,Marina Mouzinho Carvalho,Mario Henrique Ferreira Do Amaral Dal Pogetto Pogetto,Saulo Ítalo De Almeida Costa,Carlos Gilberto Raetano,Evandro Pereira Prado,Caio Alexandre Ferreira Moreira

doi:10.1590/1678-992x-2015-0340

Denise Tourino Rezende De Cerqueira, Marina Mouzinho Carvalho + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-992x-2015-0340

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Abstract

Improved spray deposition can be attained by electrostatically charging spray droplets, which increases the attraction of droplets to plants and decreases operator exposure to pesticide and losses to the environment. However, this technique alone is not sufficient to achieve desirable penetration of the spray solution into the crop canopy; thus, air assistance can be added to the electrostatic spraying to further improve spray deposition. This study was conducted to compare different spraying technologies on spray deposition and two-spotted spider mite control in cut chrysanthemum. Treatments included in the study were: conventional TJ 8003 double flat fan nozzles, conventional TXVK-3 hollow cone nozzles, semi-stationary motorized jet launched spray with electrostatic spray system (ESS) and air assistance (AA), and semi-stationary motorized jet launched spray with AA only (no ESS). To evaluate the effect of these spraying technologies on the control of two-spotted spider mite, a control treatment was included that did not receive an acaricide application. The AA spraying technology, with or without ESS, optimized spray deposition and provided satisfactory two-spotted spider mite control up to 4 days after application.

Highlights

In Brazil, the cultivated area with chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) has increased over the last few years resulting in increased pressure from insect and disease pests
The electrostatic spraying system (ESS) is presented as an innovative application technology which will help to optimize the use of pesticides by improving spray deposition on the target and reduce volumes and/or doses of pesticide applied to plants
The aim of this study was to evaluate the spray deposition and spider mite control achieved with ESS and AA compared with conventional application technology in cut chrysanthemum

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, the cultivated area with chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) has increased over the last few years resulting in increased pressure from insect and disease pests. Current commercial production practices include growing the plants at an extremely high density (90 plants m−2). These factors have made it necessary to search for new application techniques that offer more effective pest control by ensuring that the spray penetrates the plant canopy to reach the insect pests. 1 % of the sprayed pesticides are effective and 99 % of pesticides applied are released to non-target soils, water bodies and the atmosphere, and absorbed by almost every organism (Zhang et al, 2011). The electrostatic spraying system (ESS) is presented as an innovative application technology which will help to optimize the use of pesticides by improving spray deposition on the target and reduce volumes and/or doses of pesticide applied to plants

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