Selection operational and maintenance of pest control equipment for application of pesticide

BY : JAYANT YADAV, CCSHAU, HISAR, HARYANA

Plant Protection Equipment

Selecting the right equipment for pesticide application is important for successful pest control.

The correct usage of equipment and its proper maintenance are important factors which affect the ability to place pesticides on target more economically and effectively.

The choice of equipment depends on its specific use and the need of a particular pest control measure.

Role of pesticide application

To cover the target with maximum efficiency and minimum efforts to keep the pest under control as well as minimum contamination of non-targets.

The application techniques ideally should be target oriented so that safety to the non-targets and the environment is ensured. Therefore, proper selection of application equipment, knowledge of pest behaviour and skillful dispersal methods are vital.

The complete knowledge of pest problem is important to define the target i.e., location of the pest (on foliage, under the leaves, at root zone etc).

To Enhance Safety and Benefits and to Get the Most From Any Sprayer:

Select the right equipment. Set it up correctly. Use proper operation procedures. Perform proper maintenance. The pesticide label Durable Convenient to fill Convenient to operate• Easy to clean• Non-absorbent• Corrosion resistant• Resistant to damage

Types of Plant Protection Equipment

Hand sprayers and atomizers Hand compressed sprayers Knapsack sprayers Tractor-mounted sprayer Motorized knapsack mist blowers Ultra low volume or controlled-droplet applicators

(ULV/CDA)

Fogging machines/fogair sprayers Hand-carried dusters Hand-carried granule applicators Power dusters Aerial application (Aircraft sprayers) Injectors and fumigation equipment

cont…

Types of Spray Equipment

Hand sprayer

Knapsack (LOK)

Battery powered

Low pressure hydraulic

High pressure

ULV

Chemigation or injection

Application Equipment:9

Two basic types of application systems: Liquid (sprayers) Granular

Types of application devices:10

Centrifugal, rotary, or broadcast Drop Pendulum Pneumatic

Types of Application Foliage sprays (shrubs, trees) Area coverage (soils or lawns) Spot sprays LAWN

Fertilization Weed control Insect/Fungi control

HORT Fertilization Insect/Disease control Dormant oil treatments

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Volume of pesticide solution applied depends upon:

Nozzle tips Pressure Speed Nozzle spacing

Nozzle Types

Flat patternUniform when

boom is at proper height

Broadcast pattern Not uniform

Nozzle Types

Flooding fan Hollow cone

Best for direct spraying not boom.

Not as uniform as flat fan.

Importance of Droplet Size

Droplet size plays a very important role in pesticide application by minimizing environmental contamination.

Pesticide sprays are generally classified according to droplet size.

When drift is to be minimized, a medium or coarse spray is required irrespective of the volume applied.

Pesticides Droplet Description

Desired Droplet Size (microns)

Insecticides Fungicides

Very Fine < 119 Fine 119 - 216

Herbicides: Pre- and Post emergent

Medium 217 - 353 Coarse 354 - 464

Soil application of Herbicides

Very Coarse > 464

Application Techniques

Apply only where pests are located. Don’t allow activities to reduce

effectiveness:Rain, not watering-in, etc.

Tailor applications to pest habits:Water-in grub control materials

Type of Pest Controlled

Insecticide Acaricide Nematicide Fungicide Rodenticide Avicide Herbicide

- Insects- Mites and ticks- Nematodes- Fungi- Rats and rodents- Birds- Weeds

Apply only the amount of pesticide necessary to obtain the desired level of pest control.

Selecting a Pesticide

Labeled for the pest or site.

Produces desired level of control.

Least disruptive to the environment.

Non - phytotoxic.

Economically practical.

Compatible with turf management.

Acceptable to the public.

Selection and use of Spraying Equipment

Spraying equipment should be selected on the basis of: Frequency of pesticide application, Availability of diluent (water, oil, kerosene, etc.), Availability of labor (human or animal power), Area requiring treatment Durability of equipment, Cost of equipment, Availability of after sales service, Operating cost, and Speed required to treat an area (this will depend on type of

crop, stage of crop growth, and volume of spray solution to be applied).

Pesticide Formulations

When selecting, consider: –Application method–Ease of storage and mixing–Risk when handling–Risk of moving off target–Cost

Problems Associated with Spraying Equipment

Nozzle blockages Blocked nozzle should be cleaned and spares should be taken to

the field. Nozzle tip and filter should be replaced with clean pointsInefficient pumps Pumps are fitted with 'O' ring seals or leather or synthetic cup

washers Checked regularlyLeakage Compression spray equipment and certain motorized knapsack

mist blowers function properly provided they are airtight

Before Spraying

Put on protective gear.

Rinse and clean system.

After filling, check for leaks.

Adjust equipment according to recommendations and label.

Limit drift. Check for uniform

output.

During Spray Applications

Wear protective gear.… label.

Operate according to owner’s manual.

Check for nozzle clogging or pattern changes.

Clean nozzles with a soft tool, not metal.

Never unclog a nozzle by blowing through it.

After Spraying

Flush hoses, tanks, nozzles.

Wipe off residues. Clean equipment

before: Making repairs Switching

pesticides

Check operation and repair.

Re-use rinse water Do not use herbicide-

designated equipment for other applications.

Installing and Maintaining Equipment

Once equipment has been installed:• It must be maintained regularly• Only qualified people should maintain

it• Set up a maintenance schedule with

your supplier or manufacturer• Check equipment regularly to make

sure it is working correctly

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Care and Maintenance of Plant protection Equipment

General maintenance Care and upkeep of hand sprayer & duster Care and upkeep of power sprayers and dusters Care and upkeep of pp equipment when not in use Care and upkeep of pp equipment when taken to

field Care and upkeep of pp equipment in transportation

Maintenance

Normal maintenance jobs include cleaning the equipment and applying necessary lubricating oils and greases to the rubbing and moving parts.

If this normal maintenance is neglected the machine gets rusted and moving parts wear out quickly resulting in loss of efficiency, frequent replacement of spare parts and finally uneconomical working.

Special care has to be taken for maintaining the plant protection equipment. The pesticide formulations are chemically aggressive on metals, etc.

The cleaning and washing of the chemical tank, discharge lines, nozzles, etc., are to be done regularly after the day's spraying work is completed otherwise the residues of chemicals used for spraying acts on the parts and causes corrosion and deterioration of materials.

Maintenance and safe handling

Daily maintenance Clean after use. Check pump, nozzles, etc., before operation with

water. Inspect mobile parts

Periodic preventive maintenance

Pumps Pipes and connections Pressure gauges and pressure regulators Agitator Nozzles and booms Tank components Engine

Off-season maintenance and storage

All plant protection equipment must be stored in a

cool and dry place and in the shade. Equipment should be washed thoroughly with plain

water before storage. Grease and lubricants should be applied to joints

and surfaces wherever required to protect from rust