Design and evaluation of a nebulization system for pesticide application in greenhouses

The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a pesticide application system that is run from outside the greenhouse, reducing the operator's exposure to pesticides. The system included a network of pipes with fixed nebulizers distributed above the crop and equipment that injects the pesticide into the network. Seven nebulizers, three operating methods, two diameters, and four pipe lengths were evaluated using Christiansen's uniformity coefficient (CUC). The deposition of the system was evaluated, on the floor of a greenhouse without cultivation and on a tomato crop ( Solanum lycopersicum ), comparing it with a spray gun. The three-stage operation method, filling of pipes, application and surplus collection on return (LLA) was the most homogeneous. It was observed that a nebulization system composed of hydraulic nebulizers with a properly sized pipe network achieved similar deposition to gun applications. With the nebulization system the deposition at the top is greater than at the bottom of the plant.