Full Length Research Paper

Effect of air assistance on deposition distribution on spraying by tunnel-type electrostatic sprayer

Ilker H. Celen¹*, Mehmet R. Durgut¹, Gürkan G. Avci² and Erdal Kilic³

¹Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Machinery, 59030, Tekirdag, Turkey.

²Viticultural Research Institute of Tekirdag, 59100, Tekirdag, Turkey.

³Namik Kemal University, Vocational College, 59030, Tekirdag, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: icelen@nku.edu.tr.  Tel: +902822932697. Fax: +902822931378.

Accepted 26 November, 2009

   Abstract

Pesticide drift has always been a serious threat to both living things in the fields and people who are indirectly affected by it. There are many types of pesticide application machines for decreasing of the pesticide drift. One of them is tunnel type pesticide application machine. In this study, increasing the success of the spray application by tunnel-type electrostatic sprayer was targeted. For this purpose, an air unit on the system was mounted. Measurements were made at different points. This article presents the results of tests to determine the appropriate spray nozzle type and pressure values for this machine. Tests were conducted under two operating pressures namely 2 - 3 bar and 6 km/h operating speed conditions in Semillon vineyards. Tartrazine was used as spray liquid, and before its use, it was sprayed on filter papers. When air support was used on the sprayer, increasing in spray deposits into the plant canopy inside was determined according to results. A homogeneous distribution was observed. In the amount of residues in the bottom of the plant also increased. Increasing of the spray deposit on the plant was caused to decrease in the amount of residues on the ground and decreased the amount of spray deposit exposed drift.

Key words: Air assisted sprayers, deposit, losses, spraying, tunnel sprayers.