Cornell University,

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Riley Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY14853-5701

Disease and insect control is a critical factor in most commercial orchards. Whilst such control may, in some seasons, be a small proportion of crop value, there is a demand from growers for increased efficiency of spraying. Attention to detail is necessary to improve efficiency of deposition, reduce drift and increase sprayer output.

I recall a discussion with an apple grower on Long Island, New York, who stated that drift management is all in the mind, it requires the grower to think about reducing drift before the legislators apply controls.

Spray drift of pesticides is an important and costly problem facing pesticide applicators. Drift results in damage to susceptible off target crops, environmental contamination to watercourses and a lower than intended rate to the target crop, thus reducing the effectiveness of the pesticide.

Pesticide drift also affects neighbouring properties, often leading to concern and debate. As more people choose to live in the picturesque setting of an orchard and growers continue to sell plots to increase their revenue, so the debate will continue.

There are two types of drift, airborne drift, often very noticeable and vapour drift. The amount of vapour drift will depend upon atmospheric conditions such as humidity, temperature and the product being applied and can occur days after an application is made. Drift is influenced by many inter-related factors including droplet size, nozzle type and size, sprayer design, weather conditions and last but not least the operator.

a) droplet size

In the past trees were drenched with high volumes and coarse droplets at 200 — 400 gallons per acre resulting in trees dripping with excess pesticide. The belief that too much is better than too little is misplaced. Dripping trees lead to environmental pollution such as soil contamination and an excessive number of tank loads per acre results in poor time management.

Lower volumes must be used which may result in smaller droplets although there is a limit to droplet size because of concerns about drift. Droplets under 150 microns generally pose the greatest hazard; droplets less than 50 microns have insufficient momentum for impaction as they remain suspended in the air indefinitely or until they evapourate. Research in England concluded that a 100 micron droplet takes 11 seconds approximately to fall ten feet in still air; when a similar size droplet is released into a 5mph wind it will drift about 75 feet before hitting the ground.

The higher the operating the pressure, the smaller the droplet, conversely, low pressure produces large droplets that may bounce off the target. Traditional air blast sprayers give the greatest cause for concern as they produce many small droplets which are often off-target. Certain spray surfactants can change the droplet spectrum, reducing the number of driftable droplets.

b) nozzle type and size

Modern nozzle technology such as air inclusion nozzles produce larger droplets than conventional cone nozzles. Large droplets normally roll off the leaf but air inclusion nozzles create air bubbles within the larger droplets which then collapse on contact with the leaf, dissipating the energy and dispersing the liquid. Recent research in England and Germany has shown promising results using air inclusion nozzles with air blast sprayers in trees and bushes although further trials are necessary in apple orchards.

Rotary atomisers create smaller, more uniform droplets, which would normally drift. When used in conjunction with a tower and cross flow fan design the smaller droplets are actually directed into the canopy. This type of sprayer, referred to by some as controlled droplet application, produces 95-98% of its droplets all of the same size. The size produced depends on the speed of the spinning cage. Advantages include less water, resulting in better timeliness and a more targeted spray. Research in the USA and Europe shows that small droplets on target are effective at controlling diseases and insects.

c) sprayer design

Tower sprayers and tunnel sprayers are better at targeting the spray into the canopy, reducing drift and increasing deposition. The conventional air blast sprayer sends droplets in an air blast from a central fan upwards into the canopy. The tower sprayer, using an air curtain, and rotary atomiser, was developed by agricultural engineers at Michigan State University ten years ago and has shown excellent results at disease and insect control. Horizontal penetration into the canopy is preferential to vertical penetration from an air blast sprayer. Tunnel sprayers, developed many years ago in Europe and the USA, have tremendous advantages in managed orchards using trellis designs and dwarf trees. The use of a spray collection device at the base of the tunnel canopy results in the ability to recirculate spray with subsequent savings in pesticide and a reduction in drift. Many growers believe that tunnel sprayers are only suitable for level land but an increasing number are to be found in orchards on undulating land.

Drift problems increase when a space occurs within the row. Air blast sprayers, with or without a tower, can be fitted with ultrasonic or laser canopy sensors. The sensors also detect the shape of a tree and adjust the spray pattern accordingly. The advantages include reduced drift and ground deposition, reduced pesticide use and improved logistics.

Current research at Cornell University involves investigating methods of reducing drift from conventional air blast sprayers, as they are the most commonly used sprayers in orchards in New York State.

Herbicide drift from weed control practices should not be forgotten, shielded herbicide sprayers prevent drift from contaminating apples and damaging leaves. Shields can vary from the simple to the complex, from hydraulic flat fan nozzles to controlled droplet applicators using reduced herbicide rates. Shielded sprayers allow growers to apply herbicides in variable weather conditions.

d) sprayer calibration

Correct calibration will ensure that all the nozzles are discharging the correct amount of liquid at the correct distance and angle to the target and at the correct forward speed.

Operators must set the air deflectors correctly to confine airflow, spray and disturbance to the tree canopy.

e) weather

Wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature and atmospheric stability affects drift. Applying the correct product to the correct target at the correct time with the correct equipment is the key to good spraying.

Research in England and New Zealand has been conducted to measure the effectiveness of shelterbelts. Natural and artificial belts were used and drift is reduced the closer you are to the shelterbelt. Shelter belt height and density will affect drift, and may, in certain conditions, create additional air currents and eddies. There are so many variables such as topography and wind direction that it is difficult to conclude that research at one site is transferable to another. It is worth noting that German growers face Federal drift measuring programs to ensure a safe buffer zone of up to 150 feet resulting in severe restrictions for some growers.

Choose the correct size sprayer with good back-up support to ensure that spraying may be done in a timely manner. Far too often growers are racing around orchards in an attempt to apply pesticides after a problem disease or insect attack has occurred. Good logistical support in reducing the need to return for frequent refills is so important. The use of orchard field cards, detailing the block, pesticide required, application rate, quantity required per tank fill etc. will reduce stress levels found amongst some applicators. Integrated Pest Management should also be considered.

"Forward planning is the key to good management"; a phrase often used by successful business managers also applies to orchard management.

Continuing development of spray application techniques will improve the efficiency of orchard spraying. Many of the factors which affect application and drift are interdependent. Airflows must be optimised particularly where smaller droplets are used; crop canopies and water volumes must be carefully considered if growers are to take advantage of new technologies. Investment levels in modern technology must be maintained if the grower is to remain competitive.

Before spraying:

1. Train the operator to use the sprayer correctly on your farm under your conditions.

2. Plan the spraying operation; consider the use of orchard field cards as a good management tool.

3. Read and follow the pesticide label.

4. Select the correct nozzle for the target. Adjust the size and position of the nozzles to achieve correct distribution within the canopy, particularly as the growing season progresses.

5. Consider the use of sprayers which direct the spray to the target such as towers and tunnels. Check that air deflectors are set properly to confine disturbance to the target.

6. Consider spray additives to reduce drift.

7. Improve spraying logistics to ensure adequate time to spray within ‘ideal’ conditions.

8. Only spray when weather conditions are ideal; avoid spraying on days when conditions are favourable for atmospheric inversion or wind drift.

9. Calibrate the sprayer with water to ensure that everything is working correctly.

10. Start planting windbreaks!

11. Stay alert: ensure the spray is not allowed to drift on to non-target areas and watch for changes in wind speed and direction.

12. Keep spray pressure as low as possible and ensure an accurate gauge is used.

13. Maintain a constant speed and pressure, if an automatic regulator is fitted, remember, small increases in speed result in large increases in pressure. The delivered air and spray must be given time to penetrate the canopy.

14. Avoid spraying near sensitive crops or water courses; use a 50 —100 feet buffer zone Spray inwards, with one side of the sprayer, for at least 50 feet from the boundary to create a ‘headland’.