title: Effect of spray angle and spray volume on deposition of a medium droplet spray with air support in ivy pot plants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spray boom systems, an alternative to the predominantly-used spray guns, have the potential to considerably improve crop protection management in glasshouses. Based on earlier experiments, the further optimization of the deposits of a medium spray quality extended range flat fan nozzle type using easy adjustable spray boom settings was examined. Using mineral chelate tracers and water sensitive papers, the spray results were monitored at three plant levels, on the upper side and the underside of the leaves, and on some off-target collectors. In addition, the deposition datasets of all tree experiments were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data showed that the most efficient spray distribution with the medium spray quality flat fan nozzles was found with a 30° forward angled spray combined with air support and an application rate of 1000 L ha(-1) . This technique resulted in a more uniform deposition in the dense canopy and increased spray deposition on the lower side of the leaves compared with the a standard spray boom application. Applying 1000 L ha(-1) in two subsequent runs instead of one did not seem to show any added value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spray deposition can be improved hugely simply by changing some spray boom settings like nozzle type, angling the spray, using air support and adjusting the spray volume to the crop.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Technology and Food Science Unit, Agricultural Engineering, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115, bus 1, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Foqué
authors.forename: Jan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Pieters
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nuyttens
mesh_terms: D056810:Acaricides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D035981:Hedera / Q000469:parasitology*; D008925:Mites / Q000187:drug effects*; D010316:Particle Size; D010571:Pest Control / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D056810:Acaricides; D000336:Aerosols
keywords: air assistance; angling; application technique; ornamental crops; passes; spray volume