Decision-making and factors influencing pesticide application
– Optical data from satellites and aircraft inform application decisions.
– Satellite and aerial data are increasingly used for decision making.
– Optical data helps in making informed decisions.
– Decision making is influenced by data from satellites and aircraft.
– Application decisions are informed by optical data.
– Electrostatic charge attracts droplets to foliage.
– Sedimentation and drift effects are important in agricultural spraying.
– Herbicide volatilization can cause crop damage.
– Temperature and humidity affect the rate of volatilization.
– Application of herbicides later in the season increases the risk of volatilization.
Seed treatments
– Seed treatments achieve high efficiencies in effective dose-transfer to crops.
– Pesticides are applied to seeds to protect against soil-borne risks and encourage growth.
– Seed coatings can include nutrient, rhizobial, and fungicide layers.
– Coatings make seeds less vulnerable to pests and provide supplemental chemicals and nutrients.
– Seed treatments are effective in protecting crops and promoting growth.
Spray application and techniques
– Mechanical sprayers are commonly used for pesticide application.
– Sprayers convert pesticide formulations into droplets through pressure.
– Droplet size can be altered by nozzle size and pressure.
– Large droplets are less susceptible to spray drift but require more water.
– Small droplets maximize contact with target organisms but require still wind conditions.
– Controlled droplet application (CDA) improves timing and dose-transfer to the target.
– Ultra-low volume (ULV) or very low volume (VLV) application rates can be effective.
– Rotary atomizers produce a more uniform droplet size spectrum.
– Other efficient techniques include banding, baiting, and seed treatments.
– Rational pesticide use (RPU) technology promotes better targeting.
Application methods for specific crops and situations
– Pre-emergent pesticide application reduces competitive pressure on germinated plants.
– Atrazine application is an example of pre-emergent pesticide application for corn.
– Glyphosate mixtures are often applied pre-emergent to remove early-germinating weeds.
– Post-emergent pesticide application minimizes harm to desirable target organisms.
– Genetically modified organisms resistant to pesticides are used in post-emergent application.
– Pest management in the home starts with restricting access to shelter, water, and food.
– Insect repellents ward off nearby insects but are not insecticides.
– Insecticides can be aerosols, sprays, granules, or liquids.
– Active ingredients like permethrin and tetramethrin act on the nervous system of insects.
Challenges and improvements in pesticide application
– Droplet size variation in spray nozzles leads to spray inefficiencies.
– Dose-transfer to the target pest has been historically shown to be inefficient.
– Massive amounts of pesticides are wasted through run-off and endo-drift.
– Different droplet sizes have different dispersal characteristics.
– Droplet movement is influenced by macro- and micro-climatic interactions.
– Studying Droplet Sizes to Combat Corn Earworm (2010) discusses the research conducted by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
– Matthews, G.A. and Thornhill E.W. (1994) explore the potential for improvement in pesticide application equipment.
– Matthews GA, Bateman R, Miller P (2014) provide detailed information on pesticide application methods in their book.
– Matthews G.A. (2006) focuses on the health, safety, and environmental aspects of pesticide use.
– Bache D.H., Johnstone, D.R. (1992) discuss the relationship between microclimate and spray dispersion.
