Low Volume Pesticide Application Systems for the Greenhouse (NC)
Subject:
Low Volume Pesticide Application Systems for the Greenhouse (NC)
Abstract:
Though high volume (HV) spraying is the most traditional method of applying pesticides in green house and outdoor ornamentals production, it is generally thought to be inefficient for several reasons. There is a high variability of drop size with HV sprays. Due mainly to pesticide labelling, wasteful dosages are often applied. For example, the phrase "spray to run-off" or similar directions are given without regard to spray volume per crop area and means different things to different people. Most HV sprays are applied manually, so distribution will vary with the person making the application. Other problems include the time required to make the application, potential groundwater contamination from excessive run-off, and delayed re-entry into sprayed areas because of wet foliage. Despite these problems, HV, wet sprays are considered the best general purpose method of applying pesticides. Various equipment is widely available, relatively inexpensive, remains the only legal way to apply many pesticides. Also, HV sprays are adaptable to IPM programs because they enable the grower to spot treat. Low volume methods, on the other hand, eliminate many of the disadvantages of conventional HV applications: They take less time, use less water or oil to dilute and carry the pesticide (no run off, faster re-entry), may use less pesticide, and they generate most of the spray volume in small drops.
Source: • North Carolina Flower Grower's Bulletin Vol. 37 no. 5
Libraries: Floriculture