Fluid dynamic approaches for prediction of spray drift from ground pesticide applications: a review

Authors: HONG, SE-WOON - Chonnam National University; PARK, JINSEON - Chonnam National University; JEONG, HANNA - Chonnam National University; ZHAO, LINGYING - The Ohio State University; Zhu, Heping

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2021
Publication Date: 6/10/2021
Citation: Hong, S., Park, J., Jeong, H., Zhao, L., Zhu, H. 2021. Fluid dynamic approaches for prediction of spray drift from ground pesticide applications: a review. Agronomy. 11(6). Article 1182. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061182.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061182

Interpretive Summary: While pesticide drift has raised world-wide concerns on dietary risks and environmental contaminations, many researchers have used laboratory and field experiments to assess and minimize drift losses from pesticide applications. However, these experiments are generally very expensive and time consuming and are constrained by unpredictable weather and field conditions. Mathematical models and computational fluid dynamics simulations have been alternatives to understand physical transport of spray droplets. In this paper, we analyzed trends, strengths and limitations of existing fluid dynamic simulations; reviewed literatures reporting the spray droplet transport and drift potential from ground spray applications; and discussed future directions toward the advanced computational approaches to increase the spray drift prediction accuracy. Creative integrations of existing knowledge into advanced sensor and computation technologies are highly required, which will be critical to significantly improve pesticide spray application efficiency and mitigate off-target spray drift to the environment.

Technical Abstract: Spray drifts have been studied by mathematical models and computer simulations as an essential complement to lab and field tests, among which are fluid dynamic approaches that help to understand the transport of spray droplets in turbulent atmosphere and their potential impacts to the environment. From earlier fluid dynamic models to highly computational software, the scientific advance has led a more realistic prediction of spray drift, but current literatures lack an analysis to show the trends and limitations of the existing approaches. This paper is to review a range of fluid mechanisms on the spray drifts resulting from ground spray applications. Consequently, it provides comprehensive understanding of the transition and development of computational fluid dynamic programs and the future directions in this research field.