Accurate spray application is an essential element of getting the very best results from every fungicide, herbicide, insecticide and growth regulator application.
Achieving 90% is good but getting the last 10% can make the difference in delivering great quality turf. SpraySure is a package that provides turf managers and sprayer operators with the tools and advice to get sprays on target – the right product, at the right time, applied in the optimal way.
Syngenta Turf Nozzles are specifically designed for turf applications with specific nozzles that aim to maximise spray retention on the leaf for foliar applications and optimise spray penetration for soil treatments.
Syngenta Turf Nozzles are designed to work at lower water volumes compared to conventional flat fan nozzles, which increases work rates and enhances product performance. Being significantly less susceptible to drift enables more spraying days, which ensures application at the best possible timing. The nozzles retain spray pattern characteristics at faster operating speeds.
Accurate sprayer calibration is essential to know what volume of spray is being applied. Calibration is a straightforward process that, once established as a routine, takes just a few minutes and can make a significant difference to accuracy and results.
Calibration is a three stage process:
Establish the accurate forward speed used when spraying
Identify the output per nozzle
Calculate the application rate per hectare
Checking sprayer speed
Accurately measure out a run of 100 m on a turf surface, using a stake to mark each end
Using a stopwatch, start timing as you drive past the first stake at full spraying speed; stop the clock as you drive past the second stake (it’s easier and more accurate if a colleague can assist with the timing)
Divide 360 by the time taken to drive the 100 m in seconds = speed in km/h
Repeat if different spraying speeds are used for different areas, e.g. greens and fairways
Calculating application rate
With the knowledge of the forward speed of the sprayer and the output from nozzles, the calculation to work out the volume of spray being applied per hectare is:
Check nozzle output at least quarterly, and possibly each month during busy spraying periods. First refer to the manufacturer’s nozzle output chart to establish expected flow rate. Check for visible signs of damage, then measure output from each nozzle.
Fill the tank with clean water, set the pump to the standard operating pressure and collect the output from each nozzle for 30 seconds, using a Syngenta spray calibration checker cylinder.
Note down the output from each nozzle. Add up the total and divide by the number of nozzles, to give the average output per nozzle across the boom.
Calculate the difference from average for each nozzle. If the output from any nozzle is +/- 4% of the average, nozzles are unacceptably worn and the complete nozzle set should be replaced.
