Crop Protection Online (CPO), which is a so-called “Decision Support System”, has now been equipped with yet another smart tool for the farmer. With a new spraying technique module the farmer is given suggestions for spraying techniques that harmonise with wind conditions and the spraying task at hand.

It could not be easier to find out how to spray even though the wind is slightly up. In the program you point at the relevant wind speed and choose what you want to spray against (e.g. aphids or weeds). You then choose crop and the stage at which the crop is in. The program also asks you for information about the sprayer you are using.

On the basis of this information the program proposes nozzle types, amounts of liquid, and cruising speed to obtain the optimum biological effect without a significant risk of the spraying compound drifting.

Academic employee Per Rydahl from the Department of Integrated Pest Management at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, has helped develop the new IT-tool. He provides an example of how it works:

- Imagine a farmer who would like to spray early against weeds in a cereal crop. The weather is calm and he uses a Hardi Twin sprayer mounted with different nozzle types. On the basis of this information the program recommends the optimal solution, i.e. the combination of amount of liquid and driving speed for a certain nozzle type and size that results in the maximum biological effect and the minimum risk of drift. He can also get alternative combinations of driving speeds and liquid amounts, but they will either result in a lower speed and a greater amount of liquid, or a greater drift risk or reduced biological effect. The tool thus provides not only one complete answer, but acts as a decision-making support for the user, who makes the final decision himself, Per Rydahl explains.

The text with nozzle types links to information about potential brands. Instructions are also given on how best to adjust spraying booms that use a carrier air stream.

Studying the various wind speeds, spraying tasks, sprayers, and nozzle types and sizes in the program can give you an idea of pros and cons of the different combinations which, in turn, can provide inspiration when buying a new sprayer or supplementary equipment.

The program contains extensive documentation for the equations and algorithms that support the solutions and information.

The new IT-tool can be used independently or integrated with Crop Protection Online’s calculation tools for weed management.

The new module in Crop Protection Online can be viewed at: http://pvo.planteinfo.dk/cp/applications/spraytech.aspx?id=djf&selreport=1&language=da

For more information please contact: Academic employee Per Rydahl, Department of Integrated Pest Management, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, telephone: +45 8999 3585, e-mail: Per.Rydahl@agrsci.dk

Text and photo: Janne Hansen