Getting it Right with Nutrient and Pesticide Applications Misapplication of pesticides and nutrients pose a potential threat to the environment and human health. Misapplication of pesticides and nutrients cause a financial loss in the form of: poor pest control lost nutrients and pesticides crops/plant damage

Sprayer Calibration: A Groundwater Protection Practice Pesticide Applicator Core Training Manual Part B, Chapter 5

Sprayer Calibration Program developed by Michigan State University Extension Groundwater Team: R.L. Dow, M.C. Gould, H.D. Rouget, S.A. Stuby Updates By Lyndon Kelley, February-2004 To compliment the Pesticide Applicator Core Training Manual, E-2195 written by the: Pesticide Education Program

Impacts of Nitrogen Nitrogen in the form of nitrate move easily with water Nitrates in groundwater have been linked with methemoglobinaemia (Blue Baby Syndrome) In most aquatic environments nitrogen is not a limiting factor for plant growth. Most of the nitrogen entering aquatic environment will volatilize or be used by microorganisms Nitrogen is a major threat to groundwater quality, but not to surface water quality (MSUE Bulletin WQ-12, Vitosh 1990)

Impacts of Phosphorus Phosphorus is the limiting nutrient for plant growth in most aquatic environments Oxygen depletion often results from the seasonal decay of excess aquatic plant material Most forms of livestock manure have less nitrogen concentration than phosphorus Most crops remove three times more nitrogen than phosphorus Phosphorus binds tightly to soil and does not move toward groundwater except for extreme situations No known negative impacts of phosphorus in groundwater Phosphorus is a major threat to surface water quality, but not to groundwater quality (MSUE Bulletin WQ-12, Vitosh 1990)

Impacts of Misapplied Pesticides Several pesticides have been identified as groundwater water contaminates in Michigan: alachor - Lasso Atrazine Cyanazine Dicamba - Banvil Dichloropropane Dinoseb Diphenamid Hexazinone Metolachor Metribuxin Prometom Propazine simazine Misapplied pesticides may contaminate groundwater.

Surface water impacts of misapplied pesticides Misapplied pesticides may contaminate surface water creating a health and economic risk.

Calibration of equipment - How much is the system applying? Uniformity check of equipment - Is the amount applied, even? Avoiding mistakes - techniques for reducing the potential of mistakes Today we’re covering:

Pesticide applications Broadcast In-furrow Fertilizer applications Starter Sidedress Broadcast Fertigation Types of Fertilizer / Pesticide Application Manure application Broadcast Direct injection

Fertilizer / Pesticide applications goals Apply desired rate volume applied is what is desired nutrient or pesticide active ingredient level is what is desired Uniform application uniform across the width of the applicator uniform from one end of the field/ yard to the other (start to finish)

Calibration: As Easy As #1 Nozzle - Flow Rate #2 Ground Speed #3 Nozzle or Band Width

Why calibrate? Maximizes value of pesticide/fertilizer Insures legal/label rates Minimizes crop/plant injury Minimizes pest control failure

When to calibrate? Each time major sprayer or applicator adjustments are made (nozzle, pressure or speed) Change product applied Change tractors or applicator A minimum of once a year

Calibration Equipment Collection containers with graduated measurements Calculator Notepad and writing instrument Stopwatch or wristwatch with second hand Calibration formulas and a current nozzle manufacturer’s spray guide matching your nozzles

Calibration Equipment Nozzle tip cleaning brush One new tip matched to other nozzles on sprayer Catch pans for granular materials. Colored marker flags or rags Unlined, chemical-resistant gloves

Information to Record Nozzle type/number - Are they all the same? Nozzle spacing on boom Expected and measured sprayer speed Pressure at the sprayer; pressure at boom Boom height from target Expected output (manufacturer’s) Measured output

Methods for Calibration Timed-flow Method Ounces=Gallons Method Tank Volume Method

Sprayer Calibration Considerations Are all nozzles alike? Check for blockage of the nozzle screen Check the seating of the ball check valve Check for hose leaks or kinks

Timed Flow Method #1 Select nozzle type based on –Method of application –Field conditions –Pesticide product –Sprayer pressure –Risk of potential drift #2 Select nozzle tip (size) –Nozzle tip based on gallons per minute –GPM based on: gpa, mph, width

Timed Flow Method #3 Solve the GPM equation GPM = gpa x mph x width 5940

1.Nozzle type selected = 65 degree flat fan 2.Determine parameters - Gallons per acre (gpa) =12 gpa - Mile per hour (speed) = 5 mph - Nozzle spacing = 20 inches 3. Solve for gpm gallon per acre x mile per hour x width ,940 Gallon per minute = GPM = 12 gpa x 5 mph x 20 inches = = 0.2gpm 5940 Timed Flow Method

#4 Refer to manufacturer’s chart for nozzle type which delivers GPM calculated in step #3 #5 Test for uniform flow rate from each nozzle –Use water; collect from nozzle for one minute; check within ±5% –Any nozzle discharge >10 percent of catalog specifications at a given pressure is worn out

Timed Flow Method #6 Confirm actual speed of equipment –Measure off distance (e.g. 100 feet) –Travel distance at chosen operating speed (pump running to operating pressure) – Record time required Speed (mph) = Distance (feet) x 60 Time (seconds) x 88

Ounces = Gallons Method Before you begin: –Check nozzles for uniformity ±5 percent –Check pressure gauges at tractor –Check that pressure is consistent with nozzle recommendations

Ounces = Gallons Method #1 Determine inches between nozzles or band width in inches #2 Find corresponding calibration distance in chart #3 Mark off distance in field #4 Fasten one quart container on one nozzle to catch discharge…..Or…clock the travel time.

Calibration Distances Row or nozzle spacing (in.)Calibration Distance (feet) Ounces = Gallons Method

#5 Run the course at operating speed, turning sprayer ON at beginning and OFF at end of course #6 Measure liquid collected (repeat and average output) #7 Ounces collected = gallons per acre

Tank - Volume Method Before you begin calibration: Check nozzles for uniformity ±5% #1 Measure course 660 feet long in field #2 Fill spray tank to known depth (or switch to a calibration tube) #. Run the course at operating speed, turning sprayer ON at beginning and OFF at end of course

Tank - Volume Method #6 If rate needs adjusting, change nozzle, speed or pressure #7 If changes made, run test again #4 Measure number of gallons required to re-fill tank to same level as step # 2 (or read volume removed from calibration tube) #5 Use formula to calculate rate applied Volume used (gallons) x 43, square feet covered Rate/acre = = (gallon /acre)

Sprayer Calibration Making Adjustments Increase volume/acre Decrease ground speed Increase operating pressure Increase nozzle size Decrease volume / acre Increase ground speed Decrease operating pressure Decrease nozzle size

Are the number of acres in a field accurate? Is the applicator / sprayer spacing correct? Do you keep accurate pesticide application records? Field Information Considerations

Dry Applicator/ Spreader Considerations Check for application width varying with speed (choose speed that can be maintained) Check for required overlap (designed over lap maybe from 0-50%) Check for suggested spreading width (40ft. …16 rows 30”…10ft … 20” lawn spreader) Check for leaks and holes in tank

Dry Applicator/Spreader Calibration Carefully read and follow directions for adjusting opening/flow. Double check the products density and the use of the applicable chart. Small, one time applications calculate volume needed Adjust machine for ½ of the rate desired Cover are once Make appropriate changes in flow and application pattern Cover the area again with the remaining product. Lawn and Garden

Dry Applicator/Spreader Calibration Carefully read and follow directions for adjusting opening/flow. Double check the products density and the use of the applicable chart. Adjust machine for rate desired area With the pto off collect 1/1000 acre of flow Calculate to find rate applied. Make appropriate changes in flow Check uniform application using cookie sheets Adjust pass width to increase uniformity Ag spreaders

Avoiding Mistakes - techniques for reducing the potential of mistakes Proof your work when beginning. Monitor acres covered to detect changes. John’s sprayer holds 500 gallons John wants to apply at a rate of 20 gal./acre How many acres should John cover per tank full?

- Check your answers/proof your work Did the proportion of the volume used correlate with acre the should have been covered? John’s sprayer holds 500 gallons John calibrated to apply at a rate of 20 gal./acre John sprayed 10 acres since he last filled John has 200 gallons left in the sprayer Is John’s application under,over or right on the mark?

John’s sprayer holds 500 gallons John calibrated to apply at a rate of 20 gal./acre John sprayed 10 acres since he last filled John has 200 gallons left in the sprayer Is John’s application under,over or right on the mark? 500 gallons / 20 gal./acre = 25 acres 10 acres * 20 gal./acre = 200 gallons 500 gallons gallons = should have 300 gallons left 300 gallons > 200 gallons John is over applying

Avoiding Mistakes - techniques for reducing the potential of mistakes Layout a plan for each field/yard application. Total area to be applied to Total volume of product needed Total amount of water needed Calculate portion tank or number of tanks

Avoiding Mistakes Make a plan …… compare your work to the plan Smith farm east field – 80 acres Tank holds 400 gallons Application rate 20 gal/acre 4 tank full (1,600 gal) to cover the field SprayMax (product) applied at 1.5 qt/acre Ammonium sulfate applied at 17.5 lb/100 gallons SprayMax total need - 30 gallons Ammonium sulfate total need – 280 lbs Each tank SprayMax gallons Ammonium sulfate - 70 lbs

Avoiding Mistakes Make a plan …… compare your work to the plan Front Lawn – 330 Ft. x 330 = 108,900 sq.ft. Spreader holds 40 lbs. Application rate 1 lbs. / 1000 sq.ft. 1 lbs. / 1000 sq.ft. * 108,900 sq.ft. = 109 lbs. How many time will he need to fill 109 / 40 = 2.73 hoppers full Each hopper will cover 40,000 sq.ft.

Avoiding Mistakes - techniques for reducing the potential of mistakes How many field passes per tank full ? 24 row applicator x 2.5 ft/row = 60ft. Field length 2600 ft. 20 acre /tank

Avoiding Mistakes - techniques for reducing the potential of mistakes 24 row applicator x 2.5 ft/row = 60ft. Field length 2600 ft. 60ft. X 2600 ft. = 156,000 ft sq. /43,560 ft sq. = 3.6 acre/ pass 400 gallon/20 acre =20 acre /tank 20 acre / 3.6 acre = 5.6 passes /tank full

Avoiding Mistakes – techniques for reducing mistakes Calculate coverage per fill 10ft. coverage per applicator pass Lawn length 330 ft. Desired rate 5 lbs. / 1000 square feet. Spreader tank capacity= 40 lbs.

Avoiding Mistakes – techniques for reducing mistakes Calculate coverage per fill 10ft. coverage per applicator pass Lawn length 330 ft. ( 10 acre House lot ) Desired rate 5 lbs. / 1000 square feet. Spreader tank capacity= 40 lbs. 10ft.width * 330 ft. length =3,300 square feet/pass 40 lbs. / 5 lbs. = 8,000 square feet /hopper full 8,000 sq.ft. / 3,300 sq.ft. = 2.4 passes / hopper full

In conclusion... Application calibration –protects groundwater –results in increased income / better performance –should be done at least once a year Be sure application is uniform Gather calibration equipment and use it !!! Create a plan before you start Check your status with the plan as you go. If the Applicator / sprayer output is not what it is supposed to be, check for problems Make corrections !!!