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Enhancing Tree Sprayer Performance for Optimal Canopy Coverage

Maximize your tree sprayer's performance to effectively distribute chemicals, improve efficacy, and save time and money in horticultural applications. Understand spray theory, calibration, and equipment selection for better results.

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Enhancing Tree Sprayer Performance for Optimal Canopy Coverage

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  1. MaximizingTree Sprayer Performance Monte Nesbitt Extension Horticulture Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

  2. AirBlast Sprayer ` • aka “Speed Sprayer”, “Mist-Drive”, “Atomizer” • Distribute chemicals to canopy • Dispel resident air in canopy/Replace with spray-laden air

  3. BIG INVESTMENTS INSECTICIDES FUNGICIDES FOLIAR FERTILIZER Maximizing sprayer performance is as important as product selection to pest and fertility management.

  4. Maximizing sprayer performance is as important as product selection to pest and fertility management. No matter the manufacturer design, cost, or age of the equipment, any sprayer’s performance can be improved by understanding the theory and technology of tree spraying.

  5. Water is the Pesticide Carrier.Air Directs the Carrier. • Dilute Sprays: chemical is mixed in water and water volume wets all plant parts to point of run-off. • 1X RATE example=100 gallons spray/Acre • Size/Volume of canopy determines rate • Concentrate Sprays: water volume is reduced, chemical concentration in water is higher, and spray must be evenly distributed. • 2X Rate=50 gallons spray/Acre • 4x Rate=25 gallons spray/Acre How well concentrate sprays work, depends on sprayer volute and nozzle design.

  6. Interpreting the Label • “To determine the number of gallons of dilute spray required per acre, contact your state agricultural experiment station, certified pest control advisor, or extension specialist for assistance.” (Spintor 2SC; Dow AgroSciences)

  7. Dilute Spray Volume Determination • Canopy ht. x canopy width (N/S) x canopy width (E/W) x .0003=gallons needed for one tree. • 7 x 15 x 15 x .0003=0.5 gallons/tree (Typical Peach Tree) • 0.5 gallons/tree x 108 trees/Acre=54 gal/Acre required for 1X (Dilute spraying)/ • 28 x 24 x 24 x .0003=4.8 gal/tree (Medium age Pecan Tree) • 4.8 gallons/tree x 48 trees/Acre=232 gal/Acre for 1X spraying

  8. When does 1x vs 2x spraying matter? • It always saves $$$ and time to reduce the water. • Most product application rates for fruit and nut trees are written around a 100 gallon/Acre Calibration. • 8 oz/Acre (54 gallon volume) = 8 oz/Acre (232 gallon volume) • Determine a spray volume calibration that gives uniform product delivery, with minimal waste. • May be different during pre-pollination vs. summer. • Water-dependent materials (Zinc) may lose efficacy at increased concentration (less water) sprays OR cause phytotoxicity. • Need more water for entry into the leaf.

  9. Using the right equipment for the trees you need to spray

  10. Small Tree or Vineyard Sprayer • 3-Point Hitch-Mount or Wheel-Pull. • PTO or Engine Drive. • 2-sided or 1-sided spraying. • Adjustable volute

  11. Pecan Tree Height Dictates Volute Design Pecan Volute: cowling that channels half of air into more vertical orientation.

  12. Other Volute Designs • Tower air manifold • Used in pecans but not common.

  13. EffEctive sprayer ConFiguration 65/75% of spray volume goes to upper 50% of canopy 35/25% of spray volume goes to lower 50% of canopy

  14. Disc-Core type NozZle Systems • Small droplets can travel farther, but take more time and are more readily moved off target. • Disc/orifice size determines flow rate. • Whirl plate/core determines droplet size and cone pattern. Hollow Cone—May not be as effective as Solid Cone in some situation.

  15. Sample Nozzle Setup D7 D6 D5 D4 (75%) D5 65-75% D4 (25%) 35-25% D4 Coverage can be improved by increasing/changing number of nozzles

  16. One-Sided vs Two-Sided Spraying • Save Time? • Less travel time • But more refill time • Use Nurse Tank for Efficiency • Have to Drive Center of Row Middle to Spray both rows equally. • Sacrifice Coverage?

  17. Evaluate Coverage

  18. Wind is Bad • Record wind conditions at time of spraying • Ideal windspeed <5 mph • Reduced efficacy at 5-10 mph • Spraying should cease >10 mph

  19. Maximum performance requires calibration, keeping filters and nozzle screens clean, replacing worn tips/orifices and fixing leaks.

  20. Three Calibration Factors • Spray Output: Gallons per minute of all nozzles. • Function of Pressure • Clean Screens & Filters • Proper Bypass Setting • Nozzle wear & corrosion • Ground speed: Miles per hour (mph) • Tree Spacing and Trees/Acre

  21. Calibration: Step 1 • Determine Ground Speed in Feet per Min • Sprayer Hooked to Tractor and half-full of water. • MPH x 88= Feet/Min • X Feet per min/88=MPH • Do NOT trust Tractor MPH Gauge • Example: 300 feet in 55 seconds= • 327 Feet/Min=3.7 MPH EFFICACY USUALLY DECLINES WITH GROUND SPEEDS > 3.0 MPH

  22. Calibration: Step 2 • Determine Output in Gallons/Minute (GPM) • Fill Spray Tank to Mark. Run at Desired Coverage Pressure for some set time (5 minutes). • Refill To Mark Using Water Meter or Measuring Bucket

  23. Step 3: Basic AlgEbra Use 500 for 2-sided spraying • GPA=(GPM) (1000 constant) (MPH) (Row Spacing Ft) • GPA=(8.95) (1000) (3.7) (35) • GPA=68.8

  24. Adjusting CALibration • To Increase GPA (or Gallons per tree), reduce speed, increase pump pressure, use more nozzles or use larger nozzle tips (discs) and cores. • To Decrease GPA, increase speed, decrease pump pressure, use fewer nozzles or use smaller discs and cores.

  25. How Much To Add to the Tank? For products applied at X rate/100 gal., add proportionally. Example: Rate=5 oz/100 gal Add 12.5 oz product for 250 gallons of spray solution For products applied at X rate/Acre: What is GPA Calibration? How many gallons in the spray tank?

  26. How Much to add to Tank?? • GPA=75 • Acres Treated per tankload therefore = 500/75 • 6.66 acres for 500 gal tank. • Product Rate is 8 oz/Acre • Amount for one full tank then= • 6.66 x 8 =53.3 oz Product

  27. What about Young Trees with lots of open Space?? • For situations where spacing is same and trees in some blocks are smaller (replants):the on/off switching done either manually or with a smart-spray system acts as a regulator of sorts, but product may be wasted where trees are shorter and being oversprayed. • Quick-response electric switches can be helpful. • For situations where entire blocks are comprised of trees of significantly different sizes, nozzle arrangement and calibration should be uniquely determined for each respective block in the orchard.

  28. Contact • Monte Nesbitt • EMAIL: MLNesbitt@TAMU.EDU • 979-862-1218

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