Abstract
The most widespread method for weed control and suckering in vineyards is under-row band herbicide application. It could be performed for weed control only (WC) or weed control and suckering (WSC) simultaneously. During herbicide application, spray drift is one of the most important environmental issues. The objective of this experimental work was to evaluate the performance of specific Spray Drift Reducing Techniques (SDRTs) used either for WC or WSC spray applications. Furthermore, spray drift reduction achieved by buffer zone adoption was investigated. All spray drift measurements were conducted according to ISO22866:2005 protocol. Sixteen configurations deriving from four nozzle types (two conventional and two air-induction—AI) combined with or without a semi-shielded boom at two different heights (0.25 m for WC and 0.50 m for WSC) were tested. A fully-shielded boom was also tested in combination with conventional nozzles at 0.25 m height for WC. Ground spray drift profiles were obtained, from which corresponding Drift Values (DVs) were calculated. Then, the related drift reduction was calculated based on ISO22369-1:2006. It was revealed that WC spray applications generate lower spray drift than WSC applications. In all cases, using AI nozzles and semi-shielded boom significantly reduced DVs; the optimum combination of SDRTs decreased spray drift by up to 78% and 95% for WC and WSC spray application, respectively. The fully-shielded boom allowed reducing nearly 100% of spray drift generation. Finally, the adoption of a cropped buffer zone that includes the two outermost vineyard rows lowered the total spray drift up to 97%. The first 90th percentile model for the spray drift generated during herbicide application in vineyards was also obtained.
Highlights
The area under vines represents one of the most important worldwide agricultural businesses covering 7.5 million hectares [1]
It is interesting to point out that, irrespective of spray application techniques and adopted Spray Drift Reducing Techniques (SDRTs) for the under-row band herbicide application, a cropped no-spray zone that included the first two rows or, at least, the first one, could, in any case, guarantee a spray drift reduction of at least 95% and 90%, rSeusstapineabciltiityv2e02ly0,.12I,nx FaORpPrEaEcRtRicEVaIlEWway, when the cropped buffer zone is required t1o7 omf 27itigate the impact of spray drift to the sensitive areas (e.g., water courses, ditches, schools, gardens, urban areas, bystandersbsuyincsktagenreidnnegersr(eai.lgn).,agmletneecerhrnaaaln)tiicvaalleteceronnnavttriiovrleo) nsehmnovueilrndotnabmelleyand-tfoarplilteye-ndfrdioelnynldytleyfcohrtentchiheqnuriqoeuwsessfoinfroclwrudeweeeddedincocthnoentrtcroroollpapanneddd suckering should be adopted only for the rows included in the cropped buffer zones
The Spray Drift Reducing Techniques (SDRTs) tested for both the under-row herbicide application aimed for simultaneous weed control and suckering, and weed control only, resulted effectively in reducing substantial spray drift
Summary
The area under vines represents one of the most important worldwide agricultural businesses covering 7.5 million hectares [1]. The uncontrolled weed growth can have significant effects on vineyard development and vigor, due to the competition for soil moisture and nutrients. This aspect is of prime importance in the new vineyard plantations, as optimum young vines’ growth can be achieved in weed-free conditions during the first three years; it should be noted that uncontrolled weed growth in young vineyard plantations can reduce vines’ biomass by more than 80% [3]. The most widespread practice to manage weeds in vineyards consists of maintaining the resident vegetation in the central zone of lanes between the rows by mowing or cultivating (e.g., cover crops with green manure) to guarantee the soil conservation and tractor’s accessibility, while weeds resident in the soil bands under the vines are fully controlled/removed. Irrespective of inter-row or under-row weed control strategy, the techniques adopted are dependent on topographic area characteristics or vineyard training system [8]
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