Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
06:16
Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe
Published on: March 1, 2022
Off-target loss in ornamental nurseries with different spray techniques
H Zhu1, R C Derksen, C R Krause
1USDA/ARS Application Technology Research Unit, Wooster, Ohio, USA. heping.zhu@ars.usda.gov
Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences
|March 12, 2010
Summary
Spray techniques like air induction nozzles (AI) and drift retardants (HCDR) show potential for reducing off-target spray loss. Field tests indicated increased ground deposits with AI nozzles, contrary to wind tunnel findings.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Horticultural Science
Background:
- Reducing off-target spray loss is crucial in nursery applications to minimize environmental impact and ensure treatment efficacy.
- Current spray techniques lack comprehensive data regarding their effectiveness in mitigating ground and airborne drift.
- Optimizing spray application technology is essential for sustainable horticultural practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of different spray techniques in reducing off-target spray deposition in nursery settings.
- To compare airborne and ground deposits resulting from conventional hollow cone (HC) nozzles, air induction (AI) nozzles, and HC nozzles with drift retardant (HCDR).
- To assess spray drift under both field and wind tunnel conditions.
Main Methods:
- Field tests were conducted using an air blast sprayer with HC, AI, and HCDR nozzle types in an open field.
- Wind tunnel experiments were performed to measure downwind spray deposits on the ground and airborne deposits at specific distances.
- Droplet size distribution was analyzed using a laser particle/droplet image analysis system.
Main Results:
- Airborne deposits showed no significant difference between AI and HC nozzles at 15m and 30m downwind, except at 3.05m elevation at 15m.
- Ground deposits at 15m and 30m downwind were higher with AI nozzles compared to HC and HCDR.
- While drift reduction was significant in wind tunnel tests for AI and HCDR, it was not significant in field tests compared to HC.
Conclusions:
- Air induction nozzles and drift retardants demonstrated varied effectiveness in reducing spray drift depending on the testing environment.
- Field conditions may influence the efficacy of drift reduction technologies differently than controlled wind tunnel settings.
- Further research is needed to optimize spray techniques for minimizing off-target losses in diverse nursery application scenarios.
