New Technology for the Application of Crop Protection
Products Using Ground Application?Robert E. Wolf
Extension Specialist Agrichemical TechnologyBiological and Agricultural Engineering Dept.Kansas State University
Drift Educators WorkshopKansas City, MOOctober, 2000
New Technology for the Spray Industry
Changes in the Application Industry! Historically application is an inefficient process Cost per acre for crop protection has increased Application rates have changed (< an
ounce/acre) More pest specific products (foliar) Biotechnology and GMO’s More sophisticated equipment (electronics) $$$ Environmental impact (water and air)-DRIFT!!! Variable rates Site-specific
What’s new in nozzle technology? Nozzles designed to reduce drift Improved drop size control
Turbo Flood Nozzle:
Turbulence chamberLarge, drift resistant droplets
Uniform spray distribution
Pre-orifice design
Turbo Flat-fan: Turbulence chamber as in the Turbo Flood Tapered edge, wide angle flat pattern Designed to work in flat-fan nozzle holder Uniform spray distribution Wide pressure range Large, drift resistant droplets 50% overlap Plastic with superior wear characteristics
Combo-Jet Nozzles/Add-a-Body: Nozzles designed for convenience and
safety ER Series – Extended Range DR Series – Insert for Drift Reduction Tip insert a part of the cap w/screen Add-a-body allows applicators to use a
combination of orifice sizes
Air-Assist Sprayers:Where a curtain of high speed air is used to assist with particle movement after leaving
the nozzle.
Air Assist Spraying:
Process using pneumatic energy to aid in the atomization, transportation, penetration, and deposition of spray products.
Air stream becomes the carrier. Potential for reduced rates of carrier
and active ingredients
Air-Assist Nozzles:Where air is injected or drawn into the nozzle cavity and exits with the
fluid.
By-Fluid Nozzle - Spraying Systems:
Inject air into the fluid - by a second pump
Lo-pressure (8-9 psi) Designed to maintain drop
size consistency Electronic controller will
sense changes in pressure and maintain droplet size
Bi-Fluid Nozzle: AgJet 2000: Special design to
combine air and water Controller used to
automatically control spray quality/droplet size
Regulates air pressure relative to the spray pressure
Air/Induction – Venturi Nozzle: Greenleaf – TurboDrop Air intake venturi section Mixing Chamber - air and
spray solution blended Pattern tip forms large air-
bubble drops Exit tip flow 2X venturi orifice Better Penetration? Reduced run-off? Improved coverage? Adequate efficacy? Reduced drift?
Several Venturi Nozzles:
Spray Characteristics are Important to Understand:
Demonstrates Turbo Flat vs TurboDrop-5 MPH Wind
Spray Coupe with ESP
Electrostatic Spraying
Coverage:
High intensity electrostatic field. Accelerated droplet speed toward
the plants. Increased topside and underside
leaf coverage. More efficient use of chemicals.
Synchro Nozzles: Blended Pulse Technology Independent Flow Control (1-10X) Independent Drop Size Control Independent Band Width Control
(Fan Nozzles) Separate boom section controls GPS - program management
control
Computer Contolled Nozzles: Escaped Chemical Savings Low Speed Overspray
Savings Improved Speed
Productivity Reduced Tendering Decreased Drift Risk Flexible Rate Selection Fewer Wind Shutdowns Fewer Tip Changes More droplet size specific
Sharp Shooter/Synchro Controller:
Pulse generator– On/Off– Select volume %
Valve Driver– Power from
battery Nozzle valve
– Creates spray pulse
Hoods
Broadcast spray hoods Individual row hoods
Weed Sensing Sprayer:
Optical sensors to detect weeds. Turns on sprayer as needed. Used with site-specific agricultural
practices. GPS/GIS technology used to develop
application maps for future reference. Pesticides Savings
Managing Crop Nitrogen Inputs:
N-Sensor Operates on-the-go Measures light reflectance
from the crop Calculates Nitrogen
deficiencies Translates to an
application system to apply the required amount of ‘N’ where needed
Dual Boom Sprayer: System to reduce amount of pesticides
used and to reduce the potential for drift. Two parallel hydraulic spray systems Course spraying water straight down Fine spraying AI into the water spray cloud
and faces the direction of travel. Coarse and fine combine to improve the
targeting of the fine nozzles Patented mounting bracket to adapt to
most spray rigs Retrofit kits for 20 nozzle sprayer - $2200
The Influence of Precision Agriculture!
Parallel Guidance Systems:
Light Bar Follow parallel
track, A-B line Straight Curves Circles
Remote Controlled HelicoptersSpraying and Video Scouting:
Remote SensingImaging:
Low altitude or Satellite Near real-time Developing maps of
pest problems Variable rate
applications Spot spraying
Smart Sprayers:
Computer guided vision systems on sprayers
Real-time ID weeds,
insects, diseases Determine
where, what, and when to spray