Abstract

Bahadir Sayinci* and Saim Bastaban

Spray distribution uniformity on sampling posts and spray deposition in potato plants were investigated with six different types of spray nozzles (standard flat fan, hollow cone, air induction and twin jet hydraulic nozzles, spinning disc nozzle and air assisted rotary atomizer). Spray pressures were 4 bar for the hydraulic nozzles and 1.5 bar for the spinning disc nozzle and air assisted rotary atomizer. All trials were conducted at 6.0 km h-1 travel speed. For the spray distribution uniformity, three different sampling materials (petri dish, water sensitive paper and aluminum strip) on the sampling posts were used. Spray mixture containing water and brilliant blue was used as spray liquid. The concentration of spray samples were corrected with the calibration of the degradation of the dye exposed to direct sunlight and in a dark ambience. The air induction and twin jet nozzles had the lowest means in coefficient of variation (CV%) at all sampling materials. The highest deposit at the middle of the plants was provided with the air induction and twin jet nozzles. The hollow cone nozzle had the lowest mean in deposition at the bottom of the plants. The amount of dye with the air assisted rotary atomizer transferring the top, middle and bottom of the plants respectively, 35.2, 38.9 and 37.2% was found to be deposited on the underside of the leaves