Recycling sprayers in pome fruit growing (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary

Recycling sprayers are available as multi-row sprayers, so the application rate per hectare decreases, and the drive alleys can be better preserved.
Practical recommendations
Before acquisition, consider:
• Recycling sprayers require wider headlands and, if possible, larger, adjacent and straight parcels due to the reduced manoeuvrability of the equipment
• Most hail protection systems are not suitable with tunnel- or multirow-sprayers
• The devices demand a high technical knowledge of the operator and require frequent maintenance
Technical information:
• Recycling tunnel- or reflector sprayers come with lateral shielding and one- or two-sided air support that passes unattached pesticide through the tree, collects it on the opposite side at the tunnel wall, and returns it to the tank via a sump at its base. This technique saves up to 30% of the spraying solution per treatment. This amount varies with the leaf mass of the tree. The highest recycling rates can be achieved before blooming. During the year, the possible rate saved lowers up to ~10%. On average, 15% of sprayed solution can be saved over the season.
• Well tested recycling sprayer systems in organic fruit growing are, e.g., NTR20 by WANNER and OSG-NVM2 by LIPCO.