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