Air Induction Flat Fan Nozzle Research Articles

"Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Response to Fungicides and Herbicides Applied using Different Spray Nozzles"

Late leaf spot [caused by Nothopassalora personata (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) U. Braun, C. Nakash, Videira & Crous] is an economically important disease in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and fungicides are used routinely to protect peanut from infection and the resulting yield loss. Herbicides are an important component of effective weed management in peanut. Concern over particle drift of pesticides exists in the farming community, especially after stewardship issues associated with synthetic auxin application in herbicide resistant crops in the United States. Spray nozzles that deliver larger droplets that are less prone to drift is a possible solution to this issue. However, fungicides may be less effective in penetrating the crop canopy and covering foliage for protection from pathogens with these nozzles compared with nozzles delivering smaller droplets. Research was conducted to compare suppression of late leaf spot disease when chlorothalonil, prothioconazole plus tebuconazole, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and chlorothalonil were applied sequentially every 14 days using hollow cone nozzles (fine droplet size), regular flat fan nozzles (medium droplet size), air induction flat fan nozzles (coarse droplet size), and turbo teejet induction nozzles (ultra-coarse droplet size). Regular flat fan and hollow cone nozzles were slightly more effective in delivering fungicides based on canopy defoliation at harvest compared with turbo teejet induction nozzles and in some cases air induction nozzles. However, suppression of pathogens by fungicides applied using all four nozzle types prevented canopy defoliation adequately to protect peanut from yield loss. In a separate experiment, peanut yield and control of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) and late leaf spot did not differ at harvest when herbicides and fungicides were applied with air induction or turbo teejet induction nozzles throughout the cropping cycle. These results indicate that farmers can apply fungicides and herbicides to peanut using nozzles that limit potential for particle drift with minimal concern over reduced pesticide efficacy and protection of yield from pests.

Evaluation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Agricultural Spraying in Corn Cultivation in the Brazilian Savannah

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of application using both RPA and ground techniques in corn cultivation using different spray nozzles in Brazilian savannah (Cerrado). The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design, with four treatments and eight repetitions. The treatments involved two methods of application: aerial (RPA, 10 L ha-1) and ground (backpack sprayer, 100 L ha-1); and two types of nozzles: the standard flat fan nozzle XR 11001 and the air induction flat fan nozzle AirMix 11001. To study the quality of the application, the deposition was evaluated using a tracer and spectrophotometry, and the droplet spectrum, evaluated through the analysis of water-sensitive paper. Furthermore, a study on application quality was conducted using the Statistical Process Control methodology. The results demonstrated that with RPA, the deposition was higher, and the AirMix 11001 nozzle also stood out in this variable. No non-random behavior was observed in the deposition. Ground application showed the best performance in terms of target coverage and droplet density. The XR 11001 nozzle resulted in a higher droplet density. Overall, the XR11001 nozzle and the RPA application showed smaller volume median diameters (VMDs), indicating a higher potential for drift, which should be taken into account. Given the results obtained, it can be stated that the use of RPAs for agricultural spraying is viable for application.

Evaluationof compact air-induction flat fan nozzles for herbicide applications: Spray drift and biological efficacy.

Nozzles are the most critical component of a sprayer for pesticide applications. Recently, air-induction nozzles and twin flat-fan air-induction nozzles have started to be used for herbicide applications. In order to evaluate the potential of compact air-induction nozzles for herbicide spraying, this paper compares the effects of air-induction nozzles and standard flat-fan nozzles on spray atomization, deposition, drift, and weed control efficacy in maize and wheat. Droplet spectra were measured by a laser particle size analyzer, and drift potential values were determined using a drift test bench (ISO 22401). A field study was conducted to compare the spray drift and biological efficacy between Lechler standard flat-fan nozzles and compact air-induction nozzles including different nozzle sizes. In the range from 0.2 to 0.4 MPa, the droplet size classes of the LU and ST nozzles were very similar and ranged from fine to very fine, while the droplets of the air-induction nozzles IDK and IDKT were medium or coarse depending on the spray pressure and nozzle size. The drift potential trials showed that the droplet size characteristics, mainly V 100, are strongly linked with the drift reduction potential. Both drift potential and field results showed that the compact air-induction nozzles had a good performance in drift reduction. In terms of weed control biological efficacy, there were no significant differences between standard flat-fan nozzles and air-induction nozzles. In all cases, the efficacy values were above 80% both in maize and in wheat. In conclusion, air-induction nozzles are recommended for herbicide applications as they provide good biological efficacy while significantly reducing the amount of spray drift, which is of great significance for the protection of the environment and the surrounding sensitive crops.

Characteristics on the Spatial Distribution of Droplet Size and Velocity with Difference Adjuvant in Nozzle Spraying

The spatial distribution of droplet size and velocity affects the deposition and distribution on the target. In order to investigate the influence of different adjuvant and pressures on the spatial distribution of droplet size and velocity in atomization area of different nozzles, air induction flat fan nozzle IDK120-03, multi-range flat fan nozzle LU120-03 and anti-drift flat fan nozzle AD120-03 were selected. Phase Doppler Interferometer (PDI) was used to analyze and compare the distribution of droplet size and velocity in the atomization area of three nozzles when four typical adjuvant Maisi, Maidao, Adsee AB-600 and Surun sprayed at different pressures. The results show that the volume median diameter of droplet size has no obvious change along the vertical direction of the nozzle center and increases with distance in the horizontal direction, the droplet size decreases with increasing pressure at the same position, the adjuvant all increases the droplet size (about 12%, 12%, 10% and 9% for Maisi, Maidao, Surun and Adsee AB-600, respectively), IDK120-03 nozzle droplet size is the largest and LU120-03 nozzle is the smallest in the same position. For droplet velocity distribution, droplet velocity decrease in distance along the vertical and horizontal direction, respectively, the droplet velocity increases with increasing pressure at the same position, compared with water, the droplet velocity increased by about 13%, 9%, 8%, and 4% for Maisi, Maidao, Surun, and Adsee AB-600, respectively, the velocity of AD nozzle is the largest and IDK nozzle is the smallest at the same position. The experiment can provide a basis for the selection of adjuvants and nozzles in pesticide application, and provide a data base for studying the distribution of droplets on the target.

Spray drift and droplet spectrum from dicamba sprayed alone or mixed with adjuvants using air-induction nozzles

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the spray drift and droplet spectrum of dicamba applied alone or with potential drift-reducing adjuvants, using air-induction flat fan nozzles. Standard (XR and TT) and air-induction (AIXR and TTI) nozzles were evaluated in a wind tunnel. The adjuvants used were polymer, ammonium sulfate, vegetable oil, and phosphatidylcholine. The applications were conducted at 276 kPa pressure and 3.5 m s-1 wind speed. The droplet spectrum was measured using a laser diffraction system. Round strings were used as drift collectors, positioned perpendicularly to the wind direction, at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 12 m from the nozzle. Drift was calculated by quantifying, through fluorimetry, a fluorescent tracer added to each solution at 1 g L-1. Droplet spectrum and dicamba drift depend on the interaction between spray composition and nozzle type. Air-induction nozzles are more recommended for dicamba applications, especially the TTI nozzle. Polymer and ammonium sulfate increase droplet size in all nozzle types, which may reduce drift to nearby crops.

Spray Drift from Dicamba and Glyphosate Applications in a Wind Tunnel

With the recent introductions of glyphosate- and dicamba-tolerant crops, such as soybean and cotton, there will be an increase in POST-applied tank-mixtures of these two herbicides. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate drift from dicamba applications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dicamba with and without glyphosate sprayed through standard and air induction flat-fan nozzles on droplet spectrum and drift potential in a low-speed wind tunnel. Two standard (XR and TT) and two air induction (AIXR and TTI) 110015 nozzles were used. The applications were made at 276 kPa pressure in a 2.2 ms−1 wind speed. Herbicide treatments evaluated included dicamba alone at 560 gaeha−1 and dicamba+glyphosate at 560+1,260 gaeha−1. The droplet spectrum was measured using a laser diffraction system. Artificial targets were used as drift collectors, positioned in a wind tunnel from 2 to 12 m downwind from the nozzle. Drift potential was determined using a fluorescent tracer added to solutions, quantified by fluorimetry. Dicamba droplet spectrum and drift depended on the association between herbicide solution and nozzle type. Dicamba alone produced coarser droplets than dicamba+glyphosate when sprayed through air induction nozzles. Drift decreased exponentially as downwind distance increased and it was reduced using air induction nozzles for both herbicide solutions.

Discharge Coefficients of Flat-Fan Nozzles

<abstract> The discharge coefficient (C_d) is a measure of how much of the pressure energy of a nozzle is converted into kinetic energy. With the discharge coefficient known, the exit velocity of the liquid sheet from the nozzle can be calculated from the pressure. It is important to be able to accurately calculate this nozzle exit velocity for use in initializing computational simulations such as AGDISP or CFD. The objective of this work was to measure the discharge coefficients for different types of flat-fan nozzles. In this work, a phase-Doppler interferometer was used to measure the exit velocity for standard, pre-orifice, and air-induction flat-fan nozzles, for rated sizes from 01 to 06, at pressures from 1 to 6 bar. From these velocities, discharge coefficients were calculated. The standard flat-fan nozzles had the highest discharge coefficients, while the air-induction nozzles had the lowest discharge coefficients. For a fixed type of nozzle design, the discharge coefficient increased slightly with the rated flow rate. The discharge coefficient decreased slightly with increasing pressure for a given nozzle. Much of the differences in droplet size for different types of nozzles can be explained by atomization theory as a result of the differences in discharge coefficients for the different nozzle designs.

Effect of spray droplet size, spray volume and fungicide on the control of white mold in soybeans

Two experiments were conducted at different locations, the first in the 2012-13 season, and the second in the 2013-14 season, to evaluate the effectiveness of fluazinam and procymidone fungicides applied at volumes of 100 and 200 L ha−1, using three types of nozzles (hollow cone, flat fan, and air induction flat fan) in soybean, for the control of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Lib. de Bary). This study assessed white mold incidence, severity, sclerotia production and yield. In the 2012–13 crop season experiment, there was no difference between the spray volumes of 100 and 200 L ha−1 for any of the white mold assessments. With regard to the nozzles, the use of the air induction flat fan nozzle resulted in lower incidence and production of sclerotia. In the 2013-14 season experiment, the use of the flat fan nozzles, and the air induction flat fan nozzles resulted in the lowest rates of white mold incidence. Procymidone promoted a reduction in sclerotia production in comparison with fluazinam. No differences in yield were detected between the studied factors. Therefore, it was concluded that the spray volume did not influence the control of white mold and the use of air induction nozzle was efficient in controlling white mold in soybeans.

Interação pontas-adjuvantes na estimativa do risco potencial de deriva de pulverizações

É crescente a preocupação com os riscos da deriva em pulverizações com produtos fitossanitários e seus efeitos sobre o ambiente, sendo cada vez mais importante a utilização de tecnologias que forneçam maior segurança. Objetivou-se avaliar pontas de pulverização de jato plano inclinado e jato plano com indução de ar empregadas na pulverização com diferentes adjuvantes de uso agrícola na estimativa do risco potencial de deriva por meio dos depósitos e espectro das gotas. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro soluções combinadas a duas pontas de pulverização. Os depósitos foram medidos em diferentes distâncias e alturas, em túnel de vento. Os indicadores relativos ao espectro de gotas foram: porcentagem do volume de gotas com diâmetro menor ou igual a 100 µm, diâmetro da mediana volumétrica (DMV) e a amplitude relativa, determinados em um medidor de partículas a laser. A adição do adjuvante polímero vegetal à água propiciou diminuição dos depósitos, redução da porcentagem do volume de gotas com diâmetro menor ou igual a 100 µm e DMV maiores, indicando redução do risco potencial de deriva. Depósitos maiores foram obtidos com a ponta de jato plano inclinado sem adição de adjuvantes à calda, representando maior risco potencial de deriva em pulverização.

Droplet size classification of air induction flat fan nozzles

Abstract Measurements were made of the droplet size for a series of air induction flat fan nozzles produced by Marian Mikołajczak Agro Technology (MMAT) and Coorstek. The MMAT nozzles, according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard sizes, are typical single jet (long body, 37 mm) with 025, 03, and 04 orifice sizes; (short body, 21 mm) with 02, 025, 03 and 04 orifice sizes; and twin jet (short body, 21 mm) with 03 and 04 orifice sizes. Ceramic air induction flat fan nozzles of the Albuz AVI series (Coorstek, France) with the orifice size 01, 02 and 03 were tested. The sprays were described using the following droplet size parameters: Dv10, Dv50, Dv90, relative span (RS), spray volume (%) in size fractions &lt; 100 μm and 100÷200 μm. The sprays were also classified according to American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) standard S572.1 (ASAE 2009).

CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDRAULIC NOZZLES FOR DROPLET SIZE AND SPRAY COVERAGE

Spray coverage specifications for commercially available nozzles could help applicators determine the optimal nozzles for effective control of insects, diseases, and weeds. Spray coverage and deposit density from seven types of nozzles at three different flow rates (0.76, 1.14, and 2.27 L min−1) and two target positions (0.50 and 0.70 m below the nozzle) were evaluated with water-sensitive papers (WSP) as targets under controlled environmental conditions. These nozzles included 80°and 110° conventional flat-fan nozzles, air induction flat-fan nozzles with the air intake hole either opened or sealed, hollow-cone nozzles, turbo jet nozzles, and twin-jet fan pattern nozzles. Spray coverage (percent area of a WSP covered with spray depositions) increased as flow rate increased for all nozzles. The hollow-cone nozzles had the highest coverage at both target positions while air induction nozzles had the lowest coverage.With the same flow rate, the 80° nozzles had higher spray coverage than 110° nozzles. Nozzles producing coarse spray had the lower spray coverage than nozzles producing fine and medium sprays. The 80° and 110° flat-fan nozzles at lower-than-specified operating pressures produced spray as coarse as that from the air induction nozzles with similar coverage. There was no significant difference in spray coverage between the same air induction nozzles whether the two air intake holes were opened or sealed. Spray coverage on targets at the 0.50 m position was greater than that at the 0.70 m position. Therefore, careful selection of nozzles could provide comparable performance for economical and effective spray coverage with optimal flow rates and operating pressures.

Comparative spray deposits by manually pulled trolley sprayer and a spray gun in greenhouse tomato crops

The aim of this work was to evaluate spray deposition and losses to the soil in a greenhouse tomato crop during the use of a manually pulled trolley, equipped with two vertical spray booms, each with four nozzles spaced 0.50 m apart and oriented 15° upwards, in comparison with a reference treatment with a manual spray gun. The test conditions for the spray gun were established taking into account the routine practiced by farmers, consisting of treating high crops at spray volumes of nearly 1500 l ha −1 at pressures of about 2000 kPa. For the trolley, two types of nozzles were tested (standard flat fan nozzles and air-induction flat fan nozzles), at a pressure of 1200 kPa, distributing approximately the same volume as with the spray gun. Artificial targets (strips of filter-paper) fixed to upper and lower leaf surfaces in 12 zones of the tomato plants (3 heights and 4 depths) were used to collect deposits of the tracer Tartrazine. The results indicated that the deposits with the spray trolley were significantly greater than those with the spray gun. The trolley resulted in an overall deposition 40.6% and 33.9% greater than with the gun, using the standard flat fan nozzles and air-induction flat fan nozzles, respectively. Also, the spray boom reduced losses to the soil by roughly 54% compared to the spray gun. With respect to the tests made with the manually pulled trolley, the results show that the standard flat fan nozzles and air-induction flat fan nozzles behaved similarly. No significant differences were found between nozzles in the mean deposition on the canopy nor in losses to the soil.

Spray deposition on plant surfaces: a modelling approach

For pesticides to effectively manage pests, they must first be deposited on the target (typically a plant surface) in a manner in which the active ingredient(s) can be readily taken up by the target organism. A plant architectural model that enables the location of various plant components in 3-D space combined with a particle trajectory model has been used to study the interception of spray droplets by various vegetative elements. Results from the simulation are compared with wind tunnel studies of glyphosate deposition on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. var. Sicala), sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) and wild oats (Avena ludoviciana Durieu). An air induction flat fan nozzle (AI110015 at 500 kPa pressure) and an extended range flat fan nozzle (XR11002 at 280 kPa pressure) were predicted to have similar glyphosate deposition on cotton and sow thistle plants, whereas the extended range nozzle resulted in higher deposit on wild oats. Spray deposition (µg cm-2) on wild oat plants at the 5-leaf stage was more than double the amount of deposition on sow thistle or wild oat plants at the 2-leaf stage. The model was in good agreement with the experimental data except that it tended to over predict deposition on sow thistle plants.

Efeito da intensidade do vento, da pressão e de pontas de pulverização na deriva de aplicações de herbicidas em pré-emergência

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito de pontas de pulverização, pressão e intensidade do vento na deriva gerada em aplicações simuladas de herbicidas aplicados em pré-emergência. Os modelos de pontas de pulverização e as respectivas pressões testadas foram: SF 11002 (207 e 310 kPa), JA-2 (345 e 655 kPa) e AVI 11002 (207 e 414 kPa). As aplicações foram realizadas em dois períodos, em dias com condições de velocidade de vento distintas, em uma área de 1.200 m², localizada na Fazenda Experimental da FCA/UNESP. Um pulverizador com barra de 12 m, 24 bicos e tanque de 600 L foi utilizado nas aplicações. A calda de aplicação foi composta por água e o corante alimentício FDC-1 foi usado como traçador. A deriva foi amostrada por coletores ativos fixados sobre a barra de pulverização. As velocidades mínimas, médias e máximas de vento registradas no primeiro e segundo períodos das aplicações foram de 7, 14 e 23 km h-1 e 1, 5 e 18 km h-1, respectivamente. Nas duas ocasiões de aplicação, as pontas de pulverização com indução de ar AVI 11002 e de jato cônico vazio JA-2 a 655 kPa resultaram nas menores e maiores quantidades de depósito de líquido detectadas, respectivamente. A maior intensidade do vento incrementou a deriva. A redução na pressão pode ser utilizada para controle de deriva, mas a seleção adequada de uma ponta mostrou ser mais eficiente para esse propósito.

A test bench for the classification of boom sprayers according to drift risk

The proposed International Standard draft [ISO TC 23/SC 06 DIS 22369. Equipment for crop protection—drift classification of sprayers and nozzles.] to classify sprayers according to drift risk requires the sprayer to be operated in the field in well defined conditions of wind [ISO TC 23/SC 06 N 22866. Equipment for crop protection—methods for the field measurement of spray drift.]. The aim was to find an alternative sprayer classification procedure which did not require operation in stable wind conditions. A test bench system was developed to measure the potential drift generated by boom sprayers at Department of Agricultural Forest and Environmental Economics and Engineering (DEIAFA) of University of Turin. Experiments have assessed the ability of the system to discriminate the potential drift generated by different configurations of a conventional boom sprayer and to evaluate the influence of air temperature on the results. Comparison tests between the DEIAFA test bench and ISO methodology have been carried out on the same conventional boom sprayer equipped with traditional and air induction flat fan nozzles, working with three different boom heights (50, 80 and 100 cm). The drift risk classification was the same using the DEIAFA test bench or the ISO methodology. Reproducibility of results was however higher when the test bench was employed. Moreover, the DEIAFA device reduced considerably the time required to assess drift risk.

ASSESSING THE ABILITY OF DROPLETSCAN TO ANALYZE SPRAY DROPLETS FROM A GROUND OPERATED SPRAYER

DropletScan software and a flatbed scanner were used to analyze spray droplets collected on water–sensitive paper. Collections on water–sensitive papers were made from a ground sprayer during in–field herbicide efficacy trials. In a separate procedure, water–sensitive papers were used to collect downwind spray droplet deposits. The purpose of each procedure was to assess the ability of DropletScan. to measure the differences in spray droplet characteristics on water–sensitive paper. DropletScan. generates several droplet statistics including DV0.1, DV0.5, DV0.9, number of droplets under 200 microns per unit area, deposition/GPA, and percent area coverage. In each evaluation procedure an extended range flat–fan nozzle was compared to an air–induction flat–fan nozzle at different application volumes and pressures. Based on the procedures used in this assessment, DropletScan. effectively measured differences in spray droplet characteristics for both in–field and downwind collections of spray droplets.