Effects of nozzle type on fungicide applications to corn

1. Effects of nozzle type on fungicide applications to corn Scott Bretthauer Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2. Objective and methods • Objective: compare flat-fan nozzles and rotary atomizers for fungicide application on corn • Spray solution for both treatments: Stratego fungicide and Vision Pink dye • Sampling • 4 plots per treatment – 10 plants per plot • 1 Kromekote paper per plant – ear height on sample holder 7 inches from stalk • Kromekote analysis – percent coverage, GPA, DV0.1, DV0.5, and DV0.9 • Mixed models and regression analysis

3. Each treatment – 45 acres

4. Aircraft: both treatments with AT-402B at 140 MPH and a height of 12 feet – 2 GPA • Rotary atomizers • Micronair AU5000 • VRU = 13 @ 35 psi • 11 atomizers • 70 ft swath • DV0.5 = 250 µm • % cov = 9.97 • Flat-fan nozzles • CP-11TT w/FF4010 • 35 psi – 15 deg • 38 nozzles • 65 ft swath • DV0.5 = 372 µm • % cov = 4.69

6. Results – means all significantly different

7. Results – regression significant P < 0.0001; R-square = 0.58

8. Results – mixed model using nozzle type and DV0.5 as predictor variables

9. Results – coverage and DV0.5 by plot

10. Conclusions • Flat-fan nozzles provided higher mean percent coverage and GPA deposition • Rotary atomizers had more uniform coverage and GPA across all cards • Droplet size had greater effect on coverage than nozzle type – proper setup no matter what nozzle is used • DV0.5 ~ 250 µm provided greatest coverage - better canopy penetration? • Product impacts on droplet size?

11. QUESTIONS? Scott Bretthauer (217) 333-9418 sbrettha@illinois.edu

12. BASF Project – Meade, KSJuly 28, 2009 Spray Solution Effects on Fungicide Application to Corn

13. Meade, KS

14. Materials and Methods: • AT 401(Bringham Flying Service, Craig Stratton - Pilot) • Drop booms • CP-09 (29 - .078 and 9 - .125) w/5° deflection • 36 PSI • 67 foot swath, 120 mph ground speed by GPS • Droplet spectrum - Medium • Aircraft calibrated for 3 GPA

15. Treatments 1All treatments were applied at 28 L/Ha (3 GPA) using tap water. 2Vision Pink added at 1 quart (16 oz) per 50 gallons of water.

17. N Headline SC (5.8 oz/ac) + Caramba (6.1 oz/ac) Headline SC (6 oz/ac) + COC (1 pt.ac) Headline EC (6 oz/ac) + COC (1 pt/ac) Quilt (14 oz/ac) + COC (1 pt/ac) Untreated Check Untreated Check Untreated Check 7 1 3 5

22. APEX Farm Management Software

23. Summary • Differences were found in coverage among treatments within the corn canopy. • Treatments had little effect on droplet size • Yield differences were minimal. • Disease control varied by treatment, timing, and field location. • Damage from disease increased over time.

24. Treatment VMD’s: