PESTICIDE APPLICATION PESTICIDE APPLICATION IN THE GREENHOUSE IN THE GREENHOUSE Punya Nachappa GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT HORT 6050

INTRODUCTION  A greenhouse is a unique environment for the development of pests.  Greenhouses are warm, humid environments, ideally suited for pest development.  Pest population explosion due to absence of natural enemy complex.

ARTHROPOD PESTS OF GREENHOUSE  Whiteflies  Aphids  Fungus gnats  Leaf miners  Mealybugs  Caterpillars  Scale insects  Thrips  Mites  Slugs and snails

PESTICIDES  Pesticides are substances that can kill, repel,or suppress the growth of living organisms.  Different types of application methods

CLASSIFICATION I. Based on their use, relative to crop.  Pre-plant: Applications before crop planting.  Pre-emergence: Application of a pesticide where a crop is present but not emerged from soil.  Post-emergence: Application after a crop is emerged.  Seed Dressing: Coating of pesticide onto the seed.

II. Based on application method  Band sprayed: Straddling the row.  Directed: Towards target but avoiding the crop.  Spot application: To individuals, small patches or clumps of plants.  Chemigation: Injected into irrigation water.

SELECTION OF APPLICATION EQUIPMENT  Pest status  Pesticide formulations  Capacity of equipments  Operator safety features  Ease of operation, Calibration maintenance  Type and stage of crops grown

EFFECT OF APPLICATION FACTORS ON BIOLOGICAL RESPONSES  Spray distribution  Drop numbers and size  Drop velocity  Spray and concentration

AGROCHEMICAL TRADE LABELS  Signal words - DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION,POISON  Precautionary measures useful in preventing physical harm to the individual  Instructions in case of exposure, emergency treatment  Instructions in case of fire or chemical spill  Instructions for chemical handling and storage

METHODS OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION

High-Volume (HV) Spray  Most common method of pesticide application  Least expensive  Size of spray droplets : >100microns  Coverage includes outer leaves and upper surfaces  Soluble powders, WP, EC.  Eg. Gasoline motor powered pesticide sprayers Cornell nozzles

DUST APPLICATION  Uncommon method.  Active ingredient and filler (talc,clay, diatomaceous earth).  Application by hand-cranked units to large motorized dusters.  Use respirators or gas masks while applying.

LOW-VOLUME (LV) SPRAYERS  Uniform coverage, less pesticide, reduction in time.  Smaller droplet size: <100microns.  Coverage include inner leaves.  Computer programmed.

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYERS  Invented by Dr. Ed Law at the University of Georgia.  Max-Charge induction electrostatic nozzle.  Electrostatic sprayers produce electrically charged spray droplets which are carried into the plant canopy in a high speed air stream.  The result is more than twice the deposition efficiency

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYERS  Improved canopy penetration  Increased under-leaf coverage  Reduced spray drift  Better coverage  Fewer fill-ups  Easy calibration  Low maintenance  Dilute capability

AEROSOL APPLICATION  Insecticides in cylinders under pressure.  Propellants- isobutane, isopropane, fluorocarbon, compressed carbon dioxide.  Droplet size: <15-20 microns.  Temperature: F  Calm day and dry foliage.

FOG APPLICATION  LV method similar to aerosol application.  Insecticide(10%) + oil based carrier.  WP and EC.  Droplet size: 10-60microns.  PPE

SMOKE APPLICATION  Another form of LV method.  Simplest form of application.  No specialized equipments.  Dosage rate is important.  Environmental considerations.

VOLATILIZATION  Gaining acceptance.  Frying pans above plant height.  Labor simplicity.  Low residues.

ROOT SUBSTARTE APPLICATION  Soil-borne insects.  Granular formulations.  Small spoons to Feeder measure meter.  Plants should be dry while application, then water.

CALIBRATION Is the process of measuring and adjusting the amount of pesticide your equipment applies to the target area. Three factors  Correct pump operating pressure  Type of diluent or carrier  Spray volume required

PESTICIDE SAFETY  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  Equipment safety  Storage area  Disposal of pesticide containers  Spill cleanup and reporting  READ THE LABEL