New Application Technologies u Bobby Grisso 4 Biological Systems Engineering

Changes in the Application Industry! u Historically inefficient process u Increased cost per acre for crop protection u Rates are changing (< an ounce/acre) u More pest specific products (foliar) u Biotechnology and GMO’s – Issues???? u More sophisticated equipment (electronics) $$$ u Environmental impact (water and air quality) u Drift!!!!!!! u Variable rates u Site-specific

Nozzle Technologies that Enhance Effectiveness

Nozzles are important because: u Control the amount – GPA. u Determine uniformity of application. u Affects the coverage. u Influences the drift potential.

Nozzle Technology? u Nozzles designed to reduce drift u Improved drop size control u Emphasis on ‘Spray Quality’

Spray Characteristics are Important to Understand: Demonstrates Turbo Flat vs TurboDrop-5 MPH Wind

XR - Extended Range Flat-fan u Tapered edge pattern u 80 and 110 degree fan u Requires overlap - 50 to 60% u psi range 110° 80°

30 in centers 110 o degree tip 20 in centers 80 o degree tip ”

30 in centers 110 o degree tip Advantages: 1 – Same boom height 2 – 1/3 less tips ($) 3 – 1/3 larger orifice 4 – Less cleaning 5 – Match 30” rows 20”

TF - Turbo Flood Nozzle vs Old Style Flood u Pre-orifice design u Turbulence chamber u Uniform spray distribution with tapered edge – 50-60% overlap u Large, drift resistant droplets Flood TF

TT - Turbo Flat-fan l Turbulence chamber as in the Turbo Flood l Tapered edge, wide angle flat pattern l Designed to work in flat-fan nozzle holder l Uniform spray distribution, 50-60% overlap l Wide pressure range, 15 – 90 psi l Large, drift resistant droplets l Plastic with superior wear characteristics XR TT

Air-Induction/Venturi Nozzles u Where air is drawn into the nozzle cavity and exits with the fluid.

Air/Induction – Venturi Nozzle: u Greenleaf – TurboDrop u Air intake venturi section u Mixing Chamber - air and spray solution blended u Pattern tip forms large air- bubble drops u Exit tip flow 2X venturi orifice u Better Penetration? u Reduced run-off? u Improved coverage? u Adequate efficacy? u Reduced drift?

XR Flat-fan and Turbo Flat-fan compared to Venturi Style Nozzle 5.0 MPH wind at 40 psi XR vs TurboDropTurbo Flat vs Turbo Drop

Turbodrop 20, 40, 80 psi XR 20, 40, 80 psi

Driftable Droplets: Spraying Systems-2000 Nozzle Type (0.5 GPM Flow) Approximate % of Spray Volume < 200 Microns 15 PSI40 PSI XR %22% XR 80056%12% DG 11005N/A11% DG 8005N/A7% TT 11005<1%<6% TF-2.5<1% AI 11005N/A<1%

What to Expect in the Future? u Match the crop protection product to the target u Adhere to label guidelines based on an industry standard 4 ASAE X-572 u Buffer Zones u Maximize Efficacy and Minimize drift

EPA – Pesticide Registration Notice u “For ground boom applications, apply with nozzle height no more than 4 feet above the ground or crop canopy and when wind speed is 10 mph or less at the application site as measured by an anemometer. Use _____ (registrant to fill in blank with spray quality, e.g. fine or medium) or coarser spray according to ASAE 572 definition for standard nozzles or VMD for spinning atomizer nozzles.”

What about the cost of the nozzle?

Soybean Rust – medium droplet

Rated Pressure = 40 psi for most nozzle types 10 psi for turbo flood nozzles Nomenclature: Stainless Steel Insert Orifice Trade Name Fan angle and flow rate- orifice size Extended Range VisiFlo Color Coding (S,H,P,K,SS)

Selecting the proper nozzle: Legal issues!! Following the label!

Replace Worn Nozzles Nozzle Flow Should Not Exceed +/-10% Of Manufacturer’s Suggested Rate.

New Technologies

Electronics/Rate Controllers:

Electronics/Rate Controllers u How does your system work when speed changes? u Is it pressure based? u What is the effect of going slower? u What is the effect of going faster?

Hoods u Broadcast spray hoods u Individual row hoods

Closed systems

Boom Height Control

Basis for Boom Height Control u Operator Comfort u Drift Control u Proper Spray Tip Height For Better Chemical Distribution u Protect Boom Ends

Electronics System Configuration u Non Contact Sensing (Sonar) u Fully Adjustable u Choose Crop or Soil as Target u Sensitivity Adjustable from u Data Sent From Sensor To Panel 40 times/Second

Air-assisted sprayers

Spray Coupe with ESP Electrostatic Spraying

Smart Sprayers u Computer guided Vision systems on sprayers u Real-time u ID weeds, insects, diseases u Determine where, what, and when to spray

Weed Sensing Sprayer: u Optical sensors to detect weeds. u Turns on sprayer as needed. u Used with site-specific agricultural practices. u GPS/GIS technology used to develop application maps for future reference. u Pesticides Savings

Weedseeker – ROW rate control

Greenseeker – N rate control

The Influence of Precision Agriculture !

Precision Agriculture u Precise information on agronomic factors. u Precise selection and placement of crop inputs. u Precise position and travel information.

GPS Options for Agriculture Autonomous m S/A DGPS.5 - 5m RTK Float 20cm RTK Fixed 1cm GPS m

Parallel Guidance Systems: u Light Bar u Follow parallel track, A-B line u Straight u Curves u Circles

Navigation Aids:

Lightbar Guidance Systems:

Reliable and more accurate Accuracy at higher speeds Easily used with spinner spreaders Easy to use – less skilled operator Effective over growing crops Allows operation when visibility is poor Less affected by weather Lower recurring costs Reduces operator fatigue and eye strain Lower set-up time Not effected by wind or boom bounce Reduces overlaps and skips Reduces need for people in sprayed areas

Autonomous Vehicles:

Synchro Nozzles u Blended Pulse Technology u Independent Flow Control (1-8X) u Independent Drop Size Control u Independent Band Width Control (Fan Nozzles) u Separate boom section controls u GPS - program management control

Commercially Available

Remote Controlled Helicopters Spraying and Video Scouting:

Remote Sensing Imaging: u Low altitude or satellite u Near real-time u Developing maps of pest problems u Variable rate applications u Spot spraying

Application Decisions?

Too Expensive to Ignore!

Why Calibrate?

Calibration…

Replace Worn Nozzles Nozzle Flow Should Not Exceed +/-10% Of Manufacturer’s Suggested Rate.

Calibration… Using the Ounce Method

“Ounce” Method u Use the chart on the calibration card for distance to drive in field u Set throttle for spraying and operate all equipment u Note seconds required to drive measured distance u Catch nozzle output for determined time u Output in ounces = GPA applied u Use the chart on the calibration card for distance to drive in field u Set throttle for spraying and operate all equipment u Note seconds required to drive measured distance u Catch nozzle output for determined time u Output in ounces = GPA applied

“Ounce” Calibration Equipment Watch with second hand or stop watch Container marked in ounces Measuring device to mark the course Watch with second hand or stop watch Container marked in ounces Measuring device to mark the course

1. Measure Nozzle Spacing for Course Distance

Distance for “Ounce” method Row Width or Nozzle Spacing (in.) Course Distance (ft.)

Select a Reference Point

2. Operate Under Field Conditions u Get a running start u Tank half full (average weight) u Drive measured distance several times while operating equipment u Record average course time u Get a running start u Tank half full (average weight) u Drive measured distance several times while operating equipment u Record average course time

3. Catch nozzle output for determined time u Broadcast = one nozzle u Directed rigs = all nozzles per row u Output in ounces = GPA applied u Broadcast = one nozzle u Directed rigs = all nozzles per row u Output in ounces = GPA applied

Why a Distance of 204 ft. for a 20” Nozzle Spacing? Area is equivalent to 1/128 Acre There is 128 ounces in a gallon Gallons/acre…

Replace Worn Nozzles Nozzle Flow Should Not Exceed +/-10% Of Manufacturer’s Suggested Rate.

Adjust Equipment

Remember the Goal

Electronics/Rate Controllers

Set up for Uniformity Goal is to put the material on evenly from nozzle to nozzle, end of boom to end of boom, and across the entire field. 20-inch spacing requires 17-19” above target for 50-60% overlap.

Spray over a Hot Pad Watch the Drying Patterns

Spray over a Hot Pad Watch the Drying Patterns

Trouble Shooting Sprayers

Changes in the Application Industry! u Historically inefficient process u Increased cost per acre for crop protection u Rates are changing (< an ounce/acre) u More pest specific products (foliar) u Biotechnology and GMO’s – Issues???? u More sophisticated equipment (electronics) $$$ u Environmental impact (water and air quality) u Drift!!!!!!! u Variable rates u Site-specific

Electronics/Rate Controllers