The application of granular pesticides

Three basic processes are involved in the application of granular pesticides—metering, transporting and distributing. Metering may be simply dependent upon flow through an orifice under gravity but preferably force‐feed mechanisms, usually driven in relation to forward speed are used. Transport may be effected merely under gravity, but pneumatics is also an accepted method particularly for large swath widths. Kinetic energy is also an agency in transporting granules as in “throwing” type distributors and this also achieves the distribution element. With gravity and pneumatic transport the final distribution is usually by spreaders or by nozzles at each outlet. Assessment of performance is rendered difficult by the very small size of the particles to be detected and the very low rates of application usually employed. Data are required on the appropriate sampling areas which should be used in assessing uniformity of distribution and the significance of the variations measured. Cooperation between all the disciplines of workers in the field is necessary for further development of the technique and in particular in the field of formulation a valuable contribution would be in the reduction in the diversity of physical properties of all the granular materials in use or projected.