Electrostatic sprayers improve pesticide efficacy in greenhouses

Abstract

Electrostatic sprayers represent a new development in greenhouse pesticide application technology. In a 3-year study, we evaluated one of the newer candidate sprayers for efficacy in controlling green peach and melon aphids while enhancing worker safety. Electrostatic application provided aphid control that was equal or superior to conventional fullvolume spray while using 40 times less water in an equivalent area. In addition, although electrostatic application provided 3.7 times more foliar deposition than the use of conventional full-volume sprays, electrostatically deposited residues were more difficult to remove mechanically. Therefore, residues from electrostatic application are less hazardous to worker health and safety than conventional full-volume wet sprays.