Spray Drift and Recovery As Affected by Spray Thickener, Nozzle Type, and Nozzle Pressure

DRIFT continues to be a major problem in applying agricultural pesticides. Recent developments aimed at reducing the formation of small spray droplets include atomizers such as foaming nozzles, uniform droplet generators, Raindrop nozzles, low- and reduced-pressure nozzles, and the use of thickening agents to increase the viscosity of the dispensed liquid. Because of the variability in climatic conditions, few data are available to show the actual amount of drift reduction obtained from these atomizers and formulation modifiers. Field tests are being used at the University of Illinois to study the drift from ground sprayers. The purposes of this research are to measure the effectiveness of new spray thickeners, spray atomizers, and application techniques in reducing drift; and to obtain data useful for the refinement of a drift-prediction model.