Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type
In the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China, the instability of electric boom sprayers has prompted many farmers to raise the boom height to improve clearance. However, the drift risks associated with these conditions remain poorly assessed. This study investigated two key factors influencing drift: boom...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| author | Xiaoyong Pan Shuo Yang Yuanyuan Gao Zhichong Wang Changyuan Zhai Wei Qiu |
| author_facet | Xiaoyong Pan Shuo Yang Yuanyuan Gao Zhichong Wang Changyuan Zhai Wei Qiu |
| author_sort | Xiaoyong Pan |
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| description | In the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China, the instability of electric boom sprayers has prompted many farmers to raise the boom height to improve clearance. However, the drift risks associated with these conditions remain poorly assessed. This study investigated two key factors influencing drift: boom height and nozzle type. The standard LI CHENG VP11003 nozzle was compared to the Teejet XR11003 nozzle, and droplet size and velocity were measured at various boom heights. The results showed that, at the same boom height, the LI CHENG nozzle produced droplets with an average D[V, 0.5] 14.6 µm larger (8.13%), an average velocity 0.53 m/s lower (29.26%), and a relative span (RS) value 0.05 higher (4.52%) compared to the Teejet nozzle. Drift tests were performed under field conditions using a spray drift test bench. The results showed that the total drift amount per unit area (TDA) for the LI CHENG nozzle showed minimal variation at boom heights of 0.4–0.6 m (Stage 1), 0.7–0.9 m (Stage 2), and 1.0–1.2 m (Stage 3). The drift potential of the LI CHENG VP11003 nozzle increased by 136.62% in Stage 2 and 282.69% in Stage 3, relative to Stage 1. Similarly, the Teejet XR11003 nozzle showed increases of 30.52% and 165.51% in Stages 2 and 3, respectively. The results showed that the LICHENG nozzle, which is the standard equipment on the sprayer, can only be used to moderately increase the boom height to improve the sprayer’s clearance within the range of the first stage. When the boom height exceeds this range, the drift risk becomes too high. This study provides meaningful insights into enhancing drift control and developing application strategies for growers. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-cde03ac3ff834b7b9c73b6773165d1442025-01-24T13:16:58ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-01-0115116010.3390/agronomy15010160Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle TypeXiaoyong Pan0Shuo Yang1Yuanyuan Gao2Zhichong Wang3Changyuan Zhai4Wei Qiu5College of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, ChinaInformation Technology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, ChinaCollege of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaIntelligent Equipment Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, ChinaNational Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing 100097, ChinaCollege of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, ChinaIn the Huang-Huai-Hai region of China, the instability of electric boom sprayers has prompted many farmers to raise the boom height to improve clearance. However, the drift risks associated with these conditions remain poorly assessed. This study investigated two key factors influencing drift: boom height and nozzle type. The standard LI CHENG VP11003 nozzle was compared to the Teejet XR11003 nozzle, and droplet size and velocity were measured at various boom heights. The results showed that, at the same boom height, the LI CHENG nozzle produced droplets with an average D[V, 0.5] 14.6 µm larger (8.13%), an average velocity 0.53 m/s lower (29.26%), and a relative span (RS) value 0.05 higher (4.52%) compared to the Teejet nozzle. Drift tests were performed under field conditions using a spray drift test bench. The results showed that the total drift amount per unit area (TDA) for the LI CHENG nozzle showed minimal variation at boom heights of 0.4–0.6 m (Stage 1), 0.7–0.9 m (Stage 2), and 1.0–1.2 m (Stage 3). The drift potential of the LI CHENG VP11003 nozzle increased by 136.62% in Stage 2 and 282.69% in Stage 3, relative to Stage 1. Similarly, the Teejet XR11003 nozzle showed increases of 30.52% and 165.51% in Stages 2 and 3, respectively. The results showed that the LICHENG nozzle, which is the standard equipment on the sprayer, can only be used to moderately increase the boom height to improve the sprayer’s clearance within the range of the first stage. When the boom height exceeds this range, the drift risk becomes too high. This study provides meaningful insights into enhancing drift control and developing application strategies for growers.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/160spray drift controlboom sprayernozzleboom heightdroplet velocitydroplet size |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoyong Pan Shuo Yang Yuanyuan Gao Zhichong Wang Changyuan Zhai Wei Qiu Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type Agronomy spray drift control boom sprayer nozzle boom height droplet velocity droplet size |
| title | Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type |
| title_full | Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type |
| title_short | Evaluation of Spray Drift from an Electric Boom Sprayer: Impact of Boom Height and Nozzle Type |
| title_sort | evaluation of spray drift from an electric boom sprayer impact of boom height and nozzle type |
| topic | spray drift control boom sprayer nozzle boom height droplet velocity droplet size |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/160 |
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