Performance evaluation of air assisted orchard sprayer

Abstract

Field evaluation of an air assisted orchard sprayer was carried out to determine the distribution pattern of the sprayer based on droplet density and volume of spray deposition using droplet analyzer on Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) and kinnow (Rutaceae) orchard. Preliminary evaluation was conducted at 800, 100, 1200, 1400, 1600 and 2000 engine rpm and pressure was set at three different levels of pressure at minimum (4 kg/cm2), middle (10 kg/cm2) and maximum (12, 18, 20, 22, 24 kg/cm2). It was found that with increasing engine rpm and pressure, swath width, height of spray and discharge rate increased for both the nozzles. Based upon preliminary evaluation results, the sprayer was evaluated in orchard of Indian gooseberry at pressure of 22 kg/cm2 and at an engine rpm of 1600, the maximum spray height and swath width was found to be 6.0 m of 13.8 m respectively. The sprayer was operated at pressure of 10 kg/cm2 and an engine rpm of 1000, the maximum spray height and swath width was found to be 4.0 m and 11 m for kinnow plants respectively. The average volume median diameter (VMD) and average number median diameter (NMD) was found to be 152.12 μm and 51.71 for Indian gooseberry and 223.12 μm and 51.71 for kinnow respectively. The saving of labour and saving in cost of spraying was found to be 91.2%, 96.3%, 71.5% and 64.08%, 17.64%, (−3%) respectively as compared to tractor operated gun type sprayer, foot operated sprayer and tractor operated aero blast sprayer.