The comparison of the nozzle inspection methods in field crop sprayers: Nozzle flow vs. spray transverse distribution – methodology and some results

Abstract

Introduction: The European standards (EN 13 790-1, EN ISO 16122-2) and some national procedures for the inspection of field crop sprayers in use allow two methods of evaluation of the nozzles. In only a few countries both methods of the nozzle inspection measurement of nozzle flow and transverse distribution – are used [Wehmann 2012]. In the majority of countries only measurement of the transverse distribution of the spray is carried out, with the coefficient of variation CV% as a measure of accuracy. The comparison of the nozzle inspection methods have not been carried out in a direct way. Therefore, it is not known which of these methods is more rigorous, and if both methods could achieve the same results. In order to compare the stringency, costs and time-consuming of both inspection methods, the methodology of comparative tests have been elaborated. Then some trials were carried out. Artur Godyn, Ryszard Holownicki, Grzegorz Doruchowski, Waldemar Świechowski Research Institute of Horticulture, ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja 1/3, Skierniewice, POLAND e-mail: Artur.Godyn@inhort.pl; Ryszard.Holownicki@inhort.pl; Grzegorz.Doruchowski@inhort.pl; Waldemar.Swiechowski@inhort.pl