Assessment of the Wind Influence on Spray Application using an Artificial Vineyard

作者：Catania P^*; Inglese P; Pipitone F; Vallone M

来源：European Journal of Horticultural Science, 2011, 76(3): 102-108.

• canopy coverage
• chemical sprayer
• leaf deposit

Chemicals are usually applied to fruit tree orchards with air-assisted sprayers. This involves a significant risk of off-target contamination by spray drift and losses on the ground. Wind is one of the most significant climatic factors influencing the efficiency of chemical distribution, since it may account for a large drift.
The aim of the research was to evaluate the wind effect on the efficiency of an air-assisted sprayer in terms of spray coverage and leaf deposit on the canopy. An artificial vineyard was used to perform the different tests under standard conditions in terms of vegetation structure, and microclimate. Canopy coverage and leaf deposit were measured. The former did not allow to point out the influence of a moderate wind (2 m s(-1)), while the latter made it possible to evaluate the influence of wind speed >= 2 m s(-1) on the efficiency of the spray distribution. In windy conditions (5 m s(-1)) treatment efficiency was reduced by approximately 70 % compared to no wind condition.

• 出版日期2011-10