Effective and efficient spraying in vineyards and orchards

A new fact sheet series developed by Erdal Ozkan, Ohio State University Extension specialist in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) is now available online.

The series includes seven factsheets each covering a specific topic associated with effective and efficient spraying in orchards and vineyards. The topics include: best practices for effective spraying, selecting the right type and size of nozzles, strategies to minimize spray drift, strategies to maximize pesticide deposit and coverage on target, Calibration and adjustment of sprayers, new developments in spraying equipment, and overall best practices for effective and efficient spraying in orchards and vineyards. A list of all seven factsheets with links is provided below.​

This series of Fact Sheets is the most complete collection of all the essential aspects of spraying in vineyards and orchards. For example, Sprayers for Effective Pesticide Application in Orchards and Vineyards (FABE-533) provides details, with 41 photographs, about some of the different sprayers that are used to spray fruit crops.

It is the first factsheet of its kind in the United States with information in one single publication on different kinds of sprayers: hydraulic, air-assisted, sprayers with adjustable spouts, multi-row adjustable sprayers, tower type airblast sprayers (Figure 1), air-assisted sprayers with multi-head fans, tunnel sprayers, and pneumatic air shear sprayers.

Another unique factsheet (FABE-538) gives information on advancements in orchards and vineyards. All the best practices one can follow to achieve best efficiency and effectiveness in spraying vineyards and orchards. If you have not calibrated your sprayer because you think it is complicated, and if you want to use the air assist provided by airblast sprayers, you should take a look at FABE-537 which covers both topics: an easy way to determine the actual gallons per acre application rate, and adjustment of air flow to achieve maximum deposit of pesticides on the target while minimizing spray drift.

Although it is possible to get printouts of these publications once you reach them online using the links given below, Ozkan is currently working on designing user friendly print versions of the factsheets.  These fact sheets will be available online sometime in February.

For more information of the factsheet series contact Ozkan (ozkan.2@osu.edu).

 

Figure 1. One of the several tower-type airblast sprayers as shown in the factsheet Sprayers for Effective Pesticide Application in Orchards and Vineyards (FABE-533) by E. Ozkan and E. Gill

FABE-533: Sprayers for Effective Pesticide Application in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-533

FABE-534: Selecting the Right Type and Size of Nozzles for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-534

FABE-535: Strategies to Minimize Spray Drift for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-535

FABE-536: Strategies to Maximize Pesticide Deposit and Coverage for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-536

FABE-537: Calibration of Orchard and Vineyard Sprayers https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-539

FABE-538: Advancements in Technology for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-538

FABE-539: Best Practices for Effective Spraying in Orchards and Vineyards https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/fabe-539