ARS | Publication request: PESTICIDE APPLICATION ALTERNATIVES

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2003
Publication Date: October 1, 2003
Citation: Derksen, R.C. 2003. Pesticide application alternatives. Canadian Greenhouse Conference. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Greenhouse pesticides may be applied through a wide variety of application devices. Application strategy is influence by a number of factors including pesticide choice, pest complex, crop, and operating conditions, and safety issues. High volume treatments are favored by many producers because of their simplicity and flexibility. High volume treatments can potentially dilute active ingredients to a point where they are not biologically as effective in the target zone. Greenhouse experiments have shown that application volume and treatment time can affect the amount of pesticide at different canopy elevations. Research has also demonstrated that low volume applications can provide the same level of deposit as high volume treatments more efficiently and quickly. However, low volume sprayers may not present the fungicide on the target in a manner that is most biologically effective. Efficacy trials conducted in laboratory greenhouses have shown that application volume and sprayer type influence the amount of spray deposit on the target canopy but not necessarily biological efficacy. However, findings also show that the presentation (droplet size and density) on the target significantly affect efficacy. These findings will provide guidelines to help establish optimum operating practices for different application devices.