Interception of spray drift by border structures. Part 2: field experiments

This research studied the effect of drift-intercepting structures surrounding the field borders, like artificial screens and natural hedges, which are not yet a part of the drift mitigation measures for field crop sprayers in Belgium. Drift-interception experiments were performed in a grassland (Lolium perenne) with various interception structures: Artificial screens with heights of 1, 1.5 and 2 m and screen open areas of 16, 36 and 63% and a row of Fagus sylvatica trees with a height of 1.5 m and an average leaf area index of 1.12 m2/m2. Experiments were performed according to the international standard ISO 22866. The interception structure was positioned at 1 m from the field border. From the results it was found that type of border structure as well as screen open area and screen height, have an important effect on the amount of spray drift. Highest drift reduction was found with a 1.5 m artificial screen with a 16% open area.