Abstract

MONTOYA, Marcos Adrian; AMBROGETTI, Alejandro Omar  and  DEL MONTE, Raúl Feliciano. Efficiency of air assisted sprayer of phytosanitary use in fruitgrowing in Cuyo (Argentina). Rev. Fac. Cienc. Agrar., Univ. Nac. Cuyo [online]. 2018, vol.50, n.2, pp.343-354. ISSN 1853-8665.

Phytosanitary protection of fruit crops is mainly done with axial fan sprayers. Due to lack of up-dated studies, the objective was to assess the performance of the main hydropneumatic spraying units used for phytosanitary treatment of fruit plants in Cuyo (Argentina). Measurements were taken at a standardized rate from the rear PTO (power take off) of the tractor. The air flow generated by the fan was assessed in a wind tunnel and the spatial distribution of air velocity was evaluated with a hot wire anemometer. The determination of vertical spray distribution was done with a lamellate patternator. Power demands were also determined. Air flows ranged between 257.49 m³.min^-1 and 485.17 m³ min^-1. Spraying units B and C showed asymmetric air distribution. Vertical spray distribution showed symmetry between the left and right sections, except for unit of equipment B in both working modes and E high. Power demand alternated between 11.96 kW and 31.17 kW. The most efficient units were A in its only available working mode D low and high and E low. Hydro pneumatic units have different aerodynamic capacities, both in released air flow and bilateral distribution and they have different power demands.

Keywords : Air assisted sprayer; Power; Air flow rate; Efficiency.

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