Efecto de variables operativas sobre la calidad de aplicación y la deriva en la pulverización de agroquímicos

Pesticide spraying is the most widespread form of pest control. Spraying is a complex process, from the agronomic and environmental point of view. A field trial was carried out, to evaluate the effect of three agrochemical application techniques. In all of them, an air-induced flat fan was used, with different application rates, sprayer speeds and noozle spacing. Three techniques were defined: T1 (57 l ha-1, 18 km h-1 and 0,35 m), T2 (28,7 l ha-1, 18 km h-1 and 0,70 m) and T3 (57 l ha-1, 9 km h-1 and 0,70 m. To assess the techniques, water-sensitive cards were placed on the ground in vertical columns, to measure the quality of application, sedimenting spray drift and cumulative airborne spray drift. The three techniques were similar in application quality but T1 reached a greater coverage. Regarding the airborne drift factor, T2 presented significant differences with respect to the other two techniques, which leads to the conclusion that higher speeds, larger noozle space and lower application rates increase airborne drift. There were no differences in sedimenting drift. Operational variables affect environmental risks regardless of the drop size produced.