Effects of aerial spray release height and nozzle/atomizer configuration on spray penetration in a soybean canopy

by

Steven J. Thomson

Contact: Dr. Steven J. Thomson   e-mail: sthomson@msa-stoneville.ars.usda.gov

Summary:

An experiment will monitor the effects of spray release height and three nozzle/atomizer configurations on penetration of spray in a soybean canopy. Soybeans were planted in twin-row plots with 40 inch spacing; four population densities and three replications. Spray release height above the canopy will be monitored with a compact airplane-mounted laser. CP straight stream nozzles, Accuflo nozzles, and Micronair atomizers will be flown under a random sequence of spray release heights. Water with a Rubidium chloride tracer will be sprayed and mylar samplers will be placed at the top and at a pre-specified level within the canopy to collect spray deposits. These samplers will be placed at two spatial locations within each treatment (all replications). Relative concentration of tracer will be determined subsequently using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Water sensitive spray cards will be placed at the top of the canopy and scanned subsequently to determine droplet size spectra. Mylar samplers will also be placed downwind to characterize off-target spray drift. Data will be analyzed using standard statistical procedures. Results should indicate the effectiveness of nozzle/height combinations on penetration of spray, differences in droplet spectra at canopy level, and differences in downwind spray drift.

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