Technology For the Application of Crop Protection Materials Cover Your Acres Winter Conference January 22 & 23, 2008 Oberlin, KS Robert E. Wolf Associate Professor - Extension Specialist Application Technology, Bio & Ag Engineering, Kansas State University Biological and Agricultural Engineering

August 5, 2008 Airport & Expo Grounds Great Bend, KS

www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/ rewolf@ksu.edu For more information contact: rewolf@ksu.edu www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/

Concern about droplets!

Comparison of Micron Sizes for Various Items: (approximate values) pencil lead 2000 (m) paper clip 850 (m) staple 420 (m) toothbrush bristle 300 (m) sewing thread 150 (m) human hair 100 (m) 150 9

Improving Coverage? 500 microns = 1 125 microns = 64 250 microns = 8

Important Droplet Statistics: VMD (50%) or Vd0.5 Operational Area VD0.1 (10%) VD0.9 (90%)

RS = (Vd.9 – Vd.1)/VMD Relative Span Vd.9 = 400, VMD = 300, Vd.1 = 100

Calibration!!!! The next phase! Ensuring that the spray droplet spectrum is what it is supposed to be to maximize efficacy while minimizing drift! A new concept for applicators!

Droplet Selection/Calibration:

Droplet Spectra Classification*

www.hypropumps.com

Greenleaf Droplet chart: www.turbodrop.com

What is the ‘Real’ difference ? ……Medium droplet at 225 microns ……Coarse droplet at 300 microns How much heavier? Or is it??? 300 = 1.33 225 1.33 bigger 1.333 = 1.33 * 1.33 * 1.33 = 2.35 2.35 * 100 = 235% heavier

Concern about droplets!

Nozzle Technology…… Nozzles designed to reduce drift Improved drop size control Emphasis on ‘Spray Quality’ Beginning with the ‘extended range’ flat fan nozzle (all major manufactures have one), continuing with the design of ‘preorifice inserts’ and ‘turbulation chambers’, and now with the ‘venturi’ style nozzle design, nozzle manufacturer's have worked to develop nozzles that are improving the quality of spray emitted.

Nozzles Types? flat spray chamber air induced Beginning with the ‘extended range’ flat fan nozzle (all major manufactures have one), continuing with the design of ‘preorifice inserts’ and ‘turbulation chambers’, and now with the ‘venturi’ style nozzle design, nozzle manufacturer's have worked to develop nozzles that are improving the quality of spray emitted.

Extended Range Flat-fan: Tapered edge pattern 80 and 110 degree fan Requires overlap - 50 to 60% 15-60 psi range

Chamber - Pre-orifice Nozzles: Turbulence chamber as in the Turbo Flood Tapered edge, wide angle flat pattern Designed to work in flat-fan nozzle holder Uniform spray distribution, 50-60% overlap Wide pressure range, 15 – 90 psi Large, drift resistant droplets Plastic with superior wear characteristics Pre-orifice Exit orifice

Air-Induction/Venturi Nozzles Where air is drawn into the nozzle cavity and exits with the fluid. Several venturi style nozzles are manufactured and used for the application of crop protection products. Please refer to manufacture recommendations for information on how to use the venturi tips correctly. Also be aware that research is ongoing to learn more about the operating parameters for venturi nozzles.

Pre-orifice Air Induction Nozzles: Mixing Chamber Exit orifice

Ultra Lo Drift: Double inlet preorifice Large drift resistant droplets Low profile

Wind Tunnel Drift Results: Flat-fans Venturi's LSD = 12.7

Volume Median Diameter (VMD) % less than 210 Microns 51 35 23 30 14 15 26 19 22 14 13 22 10 17 29 29 15 37 36 45 40 psi 40 psi 40 psi 70 psi Bob Klein, U of Nebraska

Desired Effect from Additives VMD (50%) VD0.9 (90%) VD0.1 (10%)

Actual Effect from Additives VMD (50%) VD0.9 (90%) VD0.1 (10%)

Next Generation Air Induction Nozzles: More compact Larger drops Operates at lower pressures Percentage of fines do not increase with pressure Turbo Injection - TTI

Next Generation Air Induction Nozzles: More consistent droplet All-in-one cap and screen Wide angle with 20 degree incline Aim forward or backword Guardian

New release in 2007: XR outlet with venturi air aspirator design More compact than AI style 2-piece with removable pre-orifice AI XR TeeJet

 

VariTarget: Speed variations from 2-20 MPH Application rates of 5-40 GPA Variable area pre orifice Variable area spray orifice Optimize spray droplet size Maintain efficacy and minimize drift This nozzle has been built for the task. Developed at the U of TN, sold to Delevan (Patent Squabble rumored), AgCo selling it. They are pushing on new sprayers. Most buyers have no idea about it. It has also been marketed in aerial applications and some problems are reported. The varialble orifices (flexible rubber parts) may not hold up to acres and acres of use. Some adjustments have been made to the gaskets but…. I have proposed a study with the KS Corn Board and am in the final screening for a go. There are no research trials showing efficacy and durability of this nozzle. Time will tell but is sorely needed. Priced at $65-85 per nozzle.

www.spraytarget.com

EPA Requested Changes on the label! Guidance to Chemical Manufacturers Better information on the label for applicators on mitigating drift. Match crop protection products to target. Adopt droplet standard - ASABE S-572 Buffer Zones or No Spray Zones Maximize Efficacy - Minimize Drift

EPA’s New Emphasis with Spray Drift Reduction Drift Reduction Technology Program - DRT Encourage the adoption of technology designed to reduce drift Through use of a testing approach to generate high quality peer-reviewed data. Spray nozzles – reduce fines Sprayer modifiers – shields, hoods Spray delivery assistance – air-assist Spray property modifiers – formulations, drift control Landscape modifications – hedges, shelterbelts

The Influence of Precision Agriculture Precision Agriculture and site-specific farming practices have contributed many technologies to agriculture in recent years. Much of the hardware and software is available to take advantage of using site-specific technology to apply crop protections products. Three phases are identified above. Top photo shows a VRT dry applicator applying soil nutrients to a field based on previous soil testing and a prescription map. The middle photo and second major phase shows a grower using a yield monitor to measure crop yields. The lower photo represents the third phase which will involve variable rate application of pesticides. This phase is in the early stages of development.

Enabling Technology GPS (Global Positioning System) Increased computing power in smaller packages

Focus: GPS Guidance Systems

Parallel Swathing: Light Bar Follow parallel track, A-B line Straight Curves Circles                            Swath marking in becoming a widely used practice today. GPS is used to position the spray vehicles in the field. The straight-line A-B tracking line will guide the sprayer back and forth through the field in parallel swaths to match the programmed boom width. Light bars aide the driver in the guidance process. The photo in the lower left illustrates the system being used in the aerial application industry. The red lines are when the sprayer is working and the yellow lines show the turning paths. As this presentation was being developed advancements in using the parallel tracking devices to follow curves and work in circles are being perfected.

Auto Steering:

Automatic Boom Height Control www.norac.ca/US/uc4.htm

Basis for Spray Height Control Reduces operator stress Protect boom from damage Maintain proper nozzle height Reduce drift

BoomTrac Pro 5 Ultrasonic Sensors (4 Wing sensors with Frame Sensor)

Raven – Precision Solutions

Automatic Boom Section Control

Swath Manager Automatically switch off individual boom (spray or spreader) sections based on location Point end-rows

Swath Manager Automatically switch off individual boom (spray or spreader) sections based on location Curved field borders Whole-Boom Control Individual Section Control

Auto Swath Control

Minimize Skips – Applied Areas Minimize Skips – Exterior Boundary The upper left image is on the Swath Control page (Softkey E) and shows ‘Minimize Skips’ on an exterior boundary. Notice how the triangles in green show you which boom sections are on. On previously applied areas, it will automatically Minimize Skips as shown in the lower right area. If an area has conflicting rules (i.e. boundary set to Minimize Overlap close to a previously applied area), the rule is to stay off (Minimize Overlap wins).

Variable Rate/Mapped Applications Predeveloped application rates dependent on target variables (weed pressures, species, size)

On board weather instrumentation:

Disclaimer: Brand names appearing in this presentation are for identification and illustration purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/ Thank You rewolf@ksu.edu For more information contact: rewolf@ksu.edu Thank You www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/