Determining drift in spray tips evaluated under different wind speeds

Abstract

The application of pesticides is essential in modern agricultural production. The concept of drift refers to the undue displacement of a product, which moves to areas outside the intended target, usually due to air currents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the drift potential of conventional spray tips and those incorporating drift reduction technology, at wind speeds both suitable and unsuitable for application. The following spray tips were used: ConeJet TXVS12, Teejet TT 110-02, Teejet TTI 110-02, and Hypro GA110-03. A wind tunnel was used to generate and control the flow of air. The pressure used was 300 kPa. The wind speeds were 6 and 10 km h⁻¹. The spray bar was mounted with the spray tip 50 cm from the ground. The spray solution included water and tracer dye. Polyethylene thread was used for the collectors, which were placed at four different distances (1, 2, 3, and 4 m) and five different heights (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 m). The liquids were analysed in a spectrophotometer. At a wind speed of 10 km h⁻¹, a distance of 1 m and a height of 0.1 m, the drift values were 13.41%, 7.15%, 3.13%, and 5.11% for the ConeJet TXVS12, TT 110-02, TTI 110-02, and GA110-03, respectively. It was found that drift potential increased with the increase in wind speed but was reduced with  the increase in distance and height. Drift reduction technology using air induction proved to be the best strategy when choosing the correct spray tip for reducing drigt.