“Systemic products and contact products require very different coverage and droplet density…”
Fabiano Griesang is a product specialist at Jacto, an agricultural technician, an agronomist from Unochapecó, a M.Sc. in agricultural mechanization from the State University of Londrina and a Ph.D. in plant production from the State University of São Paulo.
Fabiano Griesang, product specialist at Jacto
AgriBrasilis – What are the characteristics of a good sprayer?
Fabiano Griesang – The characteristics of a good agricultural sprayer must include high efficiency in the application of pesticides, ensuring uniform coverage of the target areas. Features such as easy handling and adjustments, allowing for a precise adjustment of variables such as application volume, are also very desirable.
As the sprayer is a crucial equipment for the success of the crops, it must always be available to operate. It should also have good durability and resistance, supporting intensive use in the farm. When there is an incident, it must be easy and quick to resolve, with good availability of spare parts. Another extremely important factor is that the equipment must be safe for the user, with protections and devices that minimize risks to the operator and the environment.
AgriBrasilis – How should the regulation and calibration of this equipment be carried out?
Fabiano Griesang – The adjustment and calibration of an agricultural sprayer must firstly take into account the target of the application, considering what that target is and where it is located.
Sometimes the targets are organisms that are in specific positions in the crop branches and leaves, and may or may not be mobile. The target can also be the plant as a whole, especially when considering the application of protective products.
It is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the phytosanitary products. Systemic products and contact products require very different coverage and droplet density.
The environmental conditions prevailing during the application period may require important changes to the sprayer settings. We should not disregard them, because then there is the risk of failing to control the targets.
Once you know your sprayer, it is important to use information from the last successful applications to adjust the equipment. To adjust the calibration, one should use resources such as water-sensitive paper to check whether the droplets are reaching the target in a satisfactory quantity and distribution.
AgriBrasilis – How much can adjuvants and spray nozzle models reduce drift in crops?
Fabiano Griesang – Agricultural adjuvants, spray nozzle models and working pressure are factors of great relevance for pesticide drift management. The nozzle models and working pressure define the jet pattern and droplet size, while adjuvants can play an important role in modifying the characteristics of the spraying solution.
Choosing the adjuvant based on its functionality tends to add a lot to the results. Some adjuvants can act to reduce the evaporation rate of droplets, while others act to spread and adhere droplets onto target surfaces. Other adjuvants, combined with certain models of spray tips, can improve the droplet spectrum, reducing the amount of smaller droplets, which are the most sensitive to drift. Combining drift mitigation strategies can reach a 90% reduction in spraying drift.
AgriBrasilis – What are the effects of working pressure and spacing between spray nozzles?
Fabiano Griesang – The working pressure and the spacing between the nozzles, together with characteristics of the spraying nozzle model, such as the jet pattern and droplet size, affect the quality of the application and the occurrence of drift. High pressures increase the formation of smaller droplets, increasing the risk of drift. Inadequate spacing between nozzles can also impair deposition uniformity and increase drift.
AgriBrasilis – What other factors are decisive for successful spraying?
Fabiano Griesang – The determining factors for successful pesticide spraying are:
a) one should know the target and its biology, to then define the correct time to carry out the pesticide spraying, considering the cycle of the pest, the crop and the time of day;
b) one should know the product and its characteristics: it is important to choose the appropriate product for the target pest or disease, taking into account its effectiveness, safety and compatibility with the crop;
c) one should respect the environmental conditions and make the necessary adjustments to adapt the sprayer to the prevailing condition. Carry out spraying under favorable temperature, humidity and wind conditions, avoiding losses due to drift and maximizing product absorption;
d) one should regulate and calibrate the equipment: it is necessary to appropriately adjust the spray volume, choose the nozzle and working pressure that produces dropletss of the appropriate size for uniform coverage of the plant;
e) we should never give up on safety: it is important to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize contamination risks.
AgriBrasilis – How has the autonomous equipment market advanced in Brazil? What can we expect for the next seasons?
Fabiano Griesang – The autonomous equipment market in Brazil has shown significant growth in recent years. Autonomous tractors, harvesters and sprayers are becoming increasingly common due to the popularization of technologies and the scarcity of labor force in the farms. These solutions provide high precision, efficiency and productivity, in addition to reducing labor and input costs.
For the future, important growth is projected in this market segment, with large-scale adoption of precision agriculture and robotics systems. Investments in R&D, associated with public incentive policies, should further boost the use of this equipment, transforming the reality of Brazilian agriculture.
AgriBrasilis – What does localized application consist of and what are its benefits?
Fabiano Griesang – The localized application of pesticides consists of directing the use of these products only in the target areas, instead of applying them uniformly throughout the farm. This technique presents benefits such as reducing the volume of pesticides used, reducing costs and environmental impacts. Greater application efficiency is sought, with less exposure of non-target organisms to pesticides. This selective and targeted approach contributes to more sustainable and responsible agriculture regarding the use of agrochemicals.
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