The aim of this study was to compare methods for measuring spray drift from aerial application using horizontal and vertical collectors in a field experiment. Two treatments (fine and medium sprays, according to the ASABE S572.1 standard) were applied with four replications each using a fixed wing aircraft (Embraer 201-A Ipanema) equipped with CP-03 nozzles. A spray solution including an SC insecticide formulation and a dye tracer was used, diluted to 20 L/ha. Drift was evaluated downwind from the applied area, using both horizontal collectors (glass slides) and vertical collectors (nylon strings), positioned at distances up to 500 meters downwind from the field edge. The total area sprayed for each replication was around 20 ha. The drift index for each replication was determined based on spectrophotometry data and adjusted curves that were correlated based on the Pearson Coefficient at a 5% probability. Results based on both collectors showed that up to 380 m from the sprayed field the fine droplets applications gave more drift than medium droplets applications. However, from 380 m until 500 m downwind from the applied area there was an inversion on this result, based on the data from the horizontal collectors. In this case, the drift index showed more drift for the medium droplet compared to fine spray applications. This happened because the fine droplets remained suspended in the air (as airborne drift) for longer distances and the horizontal collectors were unable to collect them in these conditions. The vertical collectors were able capture the airborne drift from both the fine and medium droplets on longer distances, showing no inversion between fine and medium sprays as observed for horizontal collectors.

Measuring spray drift from aerial application using horizontal and vertical collectors in a field experiment

256th National Meeting (2018)

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