title: Effect of the spray application technique on the deposition of entomopathogenic nematodes in vegetables.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study compared entomopathogenic nematode delivery at the base of savoy cabbage and cauliflower, at the lower side of savoy cabbage and cauliflower leaves and in leek stems and the ground deposition using a five-nozzle spray boom equipped with an ISO 08 flat fan, an air induction flat fan and Twinjet spray nozzles. Additionally, an air support system and a row application system were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 40% of the applied nematodes did not reach the foot of the cabbage plants. The use of an air support system or a row application system improved nematode deposition at the savoy cabbage base. Relative nematode deposition on the lower side of savoy cabbage leaves was 27.20%, while only 2.64% of the applied nematodes reached the lower side of cauliflower leaves. After spraying leek with a standard boom, a low relative nematode deposition (26.64%) was measured in the leek stem. Nozzle type affected the distribution of nematodes in droplet spots.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nozzle type has a minor effect on the number of entomopathogenic nematodes delivered on difficult-to-reach targets. The use of modified spray application techniques directing the spray to the target site are necessary to increase the chances of contact of entomopathogenic nematodes with their target.
authors: Technology and Food Science Unit, Agricultural Engineering, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, ILVO, Merelbeke, Belgium. Eva.Brusselman@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Brusselman
authors: Bert
authors: B
authors: Beck
authors: Sabien
authors: S
authors: Pollet
authors: Femke
authors: F
authors: Temmerman
authors: Pieter
authors: P
authors: Spanoghe
authors: Maurice
authors: M
authors: Moens
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Nuyttens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D014675:Vegetables / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides