Abstract
Solid Set Canopy Delivery Systems (SSCDS) are fixed agrochemical delivery systems composed of a network of micro-sprayers/nozzles distributed in perennial crop canopies. A previous SSCDS design composed of a 3-tier configuration using hollow cone sprayer nozzles has been shown to provide excellent coverage and deposition in high-density apple orchards. However, the hollow cone nozzles substantially increases the initial system installation costs. This study evaluated the effect of irrigation micro-emitters replacement on spray deposition, coverage and off-target drift. A micro-emitter used in greenhouse irrigation systems was duly modified to enhance its applicability with SSCDS. After laboratory assessment and optimization of the micro-emitters, a replicated field study was conducted to compare 3-tier SSCDS configured with either of modified irrigation micro-emitters or traditional hollow cone nozzles. Canopy deposition and off target drift were evaluated using a 500 ppm fluorescent tracer solution sprayed by the field installed systems and captured on mylar collectors. Spray coverage was evaluated using water sensitive papers. The overall canopy deposition and coverage for treatment configured with modified irrigation micro-emitters (955.5 ± 153.9 [mean ± standard error of mean] ng cm−2 and 22.7 ± 2.6%, respectively) were numerically higher than the hollow cone nozzles (746.2 ± 104.7 ng cm−2 and 19.0 ± 2.8%, respectively). Moreover, modified irrigation micro-emitter SSCDS had improved spray uniformity in the canopy foliage and on either side of leaf surfaces compared to a hollow cone nozzle. Ground and aerial spray losses, quantified as deposition, were numerically lower for the modified irrigation micro-emitter (121.8 ± 43.4 ng cm−2 and 0.7 ± 0.1 ng cm−2, respectively) compared to the traditional hollow cone nozzle (447.4 ± 190.9 ng cm−2 and 3.2 ± 0.4 ng cm−2, respectively). Overall, the modified irrigation micro-emitter provided similar or superior performance to the traditional hollow cone nozzle with an estimated 12 times reduction in system installation cost.
Highlights
Since the the pneumatic pneumatic spray spray delivery delivery based in this this study study was was designed designed for for 234
The least spray deposition was reported for the top canopy zone in treatment T1 (493.1 ± 117.6 ng cm−2 ) and was significantly different than bottom zone deposition of corresponding treatment. These results indicate that similar deposition in different canopy zones may be achieved with modified irrigation micro-emitter Solid Set Canopy Delivery Systems (SSCDS)
The study results indicate that the SSCDS configured modified irrigation micro-emitThe study results indicate that the SSCDS configured modified irrigation microters resulted in comparable canopy deposition and coverage against that of hollow cone emitters resulted in comparable canopy deposition and coverage against that of hollow nozzles
Summary
The United States (US) is the third largest producer of the apple (Malus domestica) in the world after China and European Union [1]. 73% was produced in Washington State (WA) [2]. Commercial apple production requires numerous applications of agrochemicals including insecticides, fungicides, foliar nutrients, and plant growth regulators with the most common application equipment consisting of air-blast sprayers [3,4]. This technology has a high tendency to produce off-target spray drift, defined as the movement of sprayed droplets through the air away from the intended target [5]. Off target spray drift has been reported as a major contributor of environmental contamination and is among the top ten contributors causing human health risk around the world [3,6,7,8]
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