Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #35879

Title: TUNNEL SPRAYER CONFIGURATIONS FOR DWARF ORCHARDS

Author
item Peterson, Donald
item HOGMIRE HENRY W - WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Applied Engineering in Agriculture and Compact Fruit Tree
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Improving orchard sprayer application efficiency and reducing pesticide drift is important to both the orchard industry and the public. A tunnel sprayer was developed and tested that shows potential for improving deposition of spray materials, while significantly reducing drift over conventional orchard sprayer. This research should result in commercial sprayers that apply pesticides more efficiently with less off-site spray drift.

Technical Abstract: Two types of spray components were tested in a tunnel sprayer with different configurations and operating parameters. Two pairs of opposing cross-flow fans yielded the most uniform deposition and least drift; but results of two sets of three opposing ProptecR fans were improved over previous tests. Drift to downwind rows was not a serious problem; but 14-37% of the spray material was deposited to the ground within the tunnel sprayer. Spray deposition at 8 kph (5 mph) was as effective as it was at 4.8 kph (3 mph).