Coverage of corn plants using different hydraulic nozzles and application volume rates

Abstract

An efficient application of phytosanitary products depends, among other factors, on a good selection of nozzles and the application volume rate of the solution used. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of different models of hydraulic tips and application volume rates on spray coverage on targets positioned in the upper, middle and lower thirds of corn plants. The application volume rates evaluated were: 50 l · ha − 1 ; 100 l · ha − 1 ; 150 l · ha − 1 ; 200 l · ha − 1 ; 300 l · ha − 1 and 400 l · ha − 1 . The following nozzles were used: TT 11001, TTJ60 11002, TXA 8003, 30HCX 12, GRD120 02 and GAT11002. Appli­ cations were carried out in phenological stages V6–V7 of corn plants. There was a directly proportional relationship between an increase in application volume rate and the levels of spray coverage and droplet density in the three thirds of corn plants. The application vol­ ume rate evaluated, except for 50 l · ha − 1 in the lower third, provided a number of droplets compatible with the literature recommendations for the application of systemic fungicides. All tips evaluated provided a number of droplets compatible with the recommendations in the literature for the application of systemic fungicides, therefore, they can be recom­ mended for use in spraying on corn crops.