No matter what pesticide is applied, proper adjustment of equipment and selection of product is critical for effective performance. Inaccurate pesticide application is expensive, it can result in wasted pesticide, marginal pest control, and possibly excessive pesticide carryover contributing to water contamination and/or crop damage.
Accurate pesticide application first depends on the delivery unit that has all its major components such as pump, filter, agitation system, pressure control, nozzles and pressure gauge in excellent operating condition. Once a sprayer is properly equipped, pesticide can be applied accurately if the interrelationships of five factors are considered prior to and during application:
1. Nozzle pattern, type and size.
2. Nozzle size/flow rate.
3. Ground speed.
4. Boom height.
5. Properly mixed pesticides.
Keep spray equipment in good condition, calibrate frequently, and operate as recommended for specific field conditions and use proper safety practices. Manufacturers’ manuals include tables to show spray rates in gallons per acre (GPA) for various nozzles, pressures, and ground speeds under ideal conditions. Use this information to adjust the sprayer, then calibrate to evaluate and fine-tune the sprayer for accurate application.
