Progress with an Electrostatic Device for enhancing the Selectivity of Herbicides in Cereal Crops1

Abstract

Apparatus is described that produces uniformly sized and charged drops that can be propelled to the target at a range of speeds. Results from the use of this equipment suggest that drop momentum, rather than just drop size, may have an effect on spray deposition. The magnitude of this effect is dependent on the characteristics of leaf surfaces. For example, spray deposition on cereal leaves is sensitive to changes in drop momentum but this is not the case for Raphanus sp. This factor, if exploited, could be the basis for altering selectivity between plant species.