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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #247153
Title: Analysis of Impact of Various Factors on Downwind Deposition Using a Simulation Method

Author
item Huang, Yanbo
item ZHAN, WEI - Texas A&M University
item Fritz, Bradley - Brad
item Thomson, Steven
item FANG, ALEX - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: American Society for Testing and Materials
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/26/2010
Publication Date: 6/28/2010
Citation: Huang, Y., Zhan, W., Fritz, B.K., Thomson, S.J., Fang, A. 2010. Analysis of Impact of Various Factors on Downwind Deposition Using a Simulation Method. American Society for Testing and Materials 7(6):1-10.

Interpretive Summary: It is important to understand the drift of aerially applied crop protection and production materials to improve the efficiency and efficacy of application and protect the environment and other crops. From data recorded in a field study, a mathematical model can be ran on a computer to simulate the spray drift with the output data of the simulation model analyzed based on the Design of Experiments (DOE) approach. This new approach provides information about the significant level of the impact from all factors that affect drift using simulation software. The most significant factors are identified from which suggestions for improvement can be made. Through preliminary study, the new simulation-based method has shown the potential for statistic analysis without conducting expensive and time-consuming field experiments. The new method can be used to search for the optimal spray conditions, which could be used to generate guidelines for applicators to achieve an optimal spray results. The effective use of simulation tool through the identification of significant factors can greatly simplify the field study.

Technical Abstract: Drift of aerially applied crop protection and production materials was studied using a novel simulation-based Design of Experiments (DOE) approach. Many factors that can potentially contribute to downwind deposition from aerial spray application were considered. This new approach can provide valuable information about the significant level of the impact from all factors that affect drift using simulation software such as AGDISP. The application efficiency, the total downwind drift, the cumulative downwind deposition between 30.48 m (100 ft) and 45.72 m (150 ft), and the deposition at 30.48 m (100 ft), 76.2 m (250 ft), and 152.4 m (500 ft) were established as the performance metrics. The most significant factors were identified using statistical analysis based on simulation results, and suggestions for improvement were made. Through preliminary study, the new simulation-based method has shown the potential for statistic analysis without conducting time-consuming field experiments. The new method can be used to search for the optimal spray conditions, which could be used to generate guidelines for applicators to achieve an optimal spray result. The effective use of simulation tool through the identification of significant factors can greatly simplify the field study.