Agroznanje (Jan 2013)
Economical and environmental analysis of benefits from application of pesticides with calibrated and precisely adjusted sprayer
Abstract
The paper shows effectiveness of the chemical protection in apple orchards using traditional sprayer with routers. The research was aimed to determine the benefits of application with calibrated, controlled and precise sprayer compared to traditional one. The expression "traditional one" refers to the protection and uses of sprayer without correctness monitoring and adjustment of basic parameters (flow pump, pressure gauge accuracy, correctness sprinklers, proper amount of air flow fans, mixers etc.). Benefits of application with calibrated sprayer are multiple, and are reflected primarily in smaller application quantities, reduced labor and machine work, and fostered environmental aspects. Environmental aspects are monitored as a loss in the form of liquid pesticide drift on the soil surface. Using water sensitive strips losses of working liquid on the ground were measured, comparing calibrated and not calibrated sprayer. The recommended standard norm for testing was 500 l/ha. However, during measurement the norm of 754 l/ha was recorded, which was increased for 50.80 %. The reason for increase was faulty gauge and poor distribution of nozzles. After calibration and tuning, the norm of 422 l/ha was achieved, or 55.96 % reduction compared to the old setting. Uses of calibrated and precisely tuned sprayer ensured the reduction of treatment norm for 15.60% less than recommended, with good coverage of the crown. The advantage of application of calibrated and precisely tuned sprayer is evident in reduced drift and improvement of ecological effect. The research results show that with correct calibration the soil drift can be reduced to a minimum quantity. If we take into account that the average cost of plant protection is 350 KM/ha, including the cost of pesticides, labor and machine work, we have the case that the economic analysis shows that treatments with controlled sprayer reduces cost of protection per treatment on average about 55 KM/ha. Projected for the entire season, the savings are amounted to total of 1100 KM/ha if we take into account that the average number of treatment is about 20 times, depending of the season.
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