Ground Speed Effect on Spray Deposition Inside Citrus Trees

The effects of sprayer ground speed (1.6-6.4 km/h) on spray deposition at different locations within citrus tree canopies was characterized using different airblast sprayers, tree types, and sampling methodologies, in two spray tests carried out in Florida citrus. Copper hydroxide with 50% metallic copper was applied as a tracer. Cotton ribbons and citrus leaves were used as sampling targets and deposition was determined by copper colorimetry. Ground speed did not have a significant effect on mean deposition in the tree canopy; however, variability of deposition increased as speed increased. Sample location had a significant effect on spray deposition and showed significant interactions with speed.