Articles from Auriga Magasinet No. 2, September 2005
Sprayers and spraying methods
Optimum spraying requires the right sprayers and spraying methods. Computer-controlled spraying and air-assisted spraying are the options available to farmers.
When insects, weeds or fungi have attacked a crop to an extent which makes spraying necessary, the first thing the farmer must do is to choose the plant protection product which he wants to use to protect his crop. Secondly, he must ensure that the spraying equipment is in working order and that he uses the right spraying method. For optimum effect, spraying must be carried out using the right dose in the right place and at the right time. During spraying the greatest possible care must at the same time be shown towards people and the environment.
Air-assisted spraying (left) considerably reduces wind drift. This increases effectiveness
and ensures the maximum application of the plant protection product to the target
without harmful environmental impact.
More parameters to consider
In connection with the spraying, farmers must consider a number of practical factors such as weather conditions, time of spraying, concentration of spraying liquid and choice of nozzles, boom height, liquid pressure and driving speed.
Finally, the farmer must ensure that the filters, seals, hoses, fittings and sprayer boom are fully operational and that the filling, emptying and cleaning of the spraying equipment are carried out responsibly.
In air-assisted spraying (to the right), the plant protection product is whirled
around the plant which is targeted from all sides. Thanks to the improved
application and effectiveness, doses can be reduced for several crops.
Undesirable losses to the environment are also avoided.
Computer-controlled precision
In order to achieve the aim of the right dose in the right place at the right time, many farmers carry out computer-controlled spraying. Using GPS, a very high level of precision is ensured with no overlapping in the spraying of the land. Advanced computer technology can be used to adjust nozzles and liquid pressure etc. for the optimum correlation between driving speed and other factors. Many of these data are coded into the system before spraying commences.
The air-assisted Hardi TWIN system is well known for its high quality, not only in the
known industrialised markets, but also in connection with first-time purchases by
large-scale farms in new markets in, for example, Eastern Europe.
Air-assisted spraying
When it comes to the large field sprayers, conventional hydraulic sprayers are increasingly being replaced by air-assisted sprayers. In many situations, air-assisted spraying offers a number of advantages:
- Maximum application of the plant protection product to the target, for greater effect.
- Water consumption can be reduced by approx. 50 per cent per hectare without compromising effectiveness – less tanking-up and less transport.
- Safer spraying at higher wind speeds due to a reduction in drift by up to 95 per cent.
- Increase in spraying capacity (100-150 per cent) due to higher driving speed, lower water consumption and less drift.
- Safe spraying close to water due to the high and safe wind drift reduction.
- Higher level of precision spraying for higher probability of good results, especially with lower doses.
Whether farmers use conventional or air-assisted sprayers, and regardless of the level of computer technology used, they must at all times possess the knowledge and training needed to handle the application of plant protection products in a responsible manner.
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