ATRU, Application Technology Engineering Group, Wooster, Ohio

Dr. Richard C. Derksen

Floral and Nursery Crop Research Initiative Update

Research Objectives/Goals:

• Identify common methods growers use for treating nursery and greenhouse crops

• Establish cooperative research programs with producers

• Assess and develop methods for improving efficacy in nurseries and greenhouses

• Identify means for reducing drift risk in nursery production areas

Research Objective:

To evaluate sprayer operating parameters that may improve the effectiveness of sprays made to nursery crops

•Parameters evaluated:–Form of spray delivery–Air outlet speed–Fan orientation–Application rate–Ground speed

Experimental Nursery Sampling Sites

TargetHeight

1 m

2 m

3 m

Row 1Row 2Row 3

Q2

Q2

Q2

Q1

Q1

Q1

Q1

Q3

Q3

Q2Q1

Q1Q3

Q3

On-farm nursery sprayer trials:• The conventional, axial fan, sprayer can not

treat multiple rows effectively

• A second-pass is a very effective method for producing relatively uniform spray deposits

• CF reduced volume sprays can increase field capacity and provide similar within block treatment

• Reducing CF fan speed can improve near-sprayer performance

Apple Scab Management Sprayer Trial• Three sprayer treatments:

– High volume (57 gpa), Conventional sprayer– Low volume (20 gpa), Conventional sprayer, low drift nozzles– Low volume (20 gpa), Crossflow sprayer

• Big drop off in coverage beyond 2nd row• Significantly less coverage on backside of tree canopies• Some droplet deposits did not contain active ingredients

Drift Measurement Test Site Layout

128 METERS POSITION 7

256 METERS POSITION 8

LEAF TARGET X

NOTE 1: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN POSITIONS ARE MEASUREDAT AN ANGLE FROM THE TREE LINE.

64 METERS POSITION 6

PASS NO.

8 METERS POSITION 3

4 METERS POSITION 2

LEGEND

DOUBLE STAPLEX SAMPLER

SINGLE STAPLEX SAMPLER

GROUND TARGET

APPLE TREE

BIVANE

TOWER

Control

Tree 61Small Tree

Tree 86

32 METERS POSITION 5

16 METERS POSITION 4

86X

X

Line 1X

X

Line 2

61

Tree 90

Line 3X

X

90

Electrostatic Systems Sprayer, EPS-5

DRAMM Mini-Coldfogger

High volume sprayer,many nozzles to choose from

Greenhouse Application Equipment Trials:

Spray quality assessments: Bench plants, Top of canopy, Upperside surface

Autofogger ESS (electrostatic)

Coldfogger (one side only) Coldfogger (two sides)

Greenhouse trial findings:

• High volume application equipment is able to deposit more material onto target foliage than the ESS or DRAMM

• The increased quantity from high volume sprays does not result in increased efficacy

• DRAMM and ESS are more effective equipment, but are being used with a less effective application volume

• High volume, hydraulic sprayer is less effective but its problems are being overcome by a more effective application volume

• Demonstrate to growers how use equipment most efficiently in their operations

• Demonstrate new equipment options to producers

• Report findings through research journals, popular press, and producer meetings and workshops

Technology transfer objectives/goals:

On-Farm Nursery Sprayer Surveys

On-Farm Nursery Sprayer Calibrations

Results:

• Few equipment operators knowledgeable about equipment operation

• Non-functioning pressure gauges found

• Wide-range of travel speeds used

• Several different kinds of nozzles used

On Farm Coverage/Penetration Evaluations

On-Farm Coverage/Penetration Evaluations

Greenhouse workshops: Lectures and hands-on experiences

Future plans:

• Greenhouse fungicide trials comparing delivery techniques and surfactants

• Identify means to reduce damage to beneficial nematodes delivered through sprayers

• Nursery field trials comparing efficacy for low-drift and high-drift risk sprayer set-ups

• Evaluate effect of canopy development on spray movement

• Work with producers to optimize sprayer operation and minimize off-site impact