Performance evaluation of tractor operated boom: Type sprayer

Abstract

A small tractor operated boom type sprayer was selected to evaluate its performance under local agro-climatic conditions. The nozzles were spaced at 50 cm apart on the boom and operated in the field at nozzle height of 55 cm above the target surface. The sprayer was operated in the Guar field at three forward speeds (3.0, 3.5 and 4 km/h) and at three fluid flow pressures (2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 kg/cm2). The droplet density on leaves varied from 8.86 to 155.46 drops/cm2. An Area covered with droplets on the upper side of the top leaves and bottom leaves varied from 8.4 to 70.55 mm2/cm2 and 2.85 to 66.4 mm2/cm2 respectively. An Area covered with droplets on the underside of the top leaves and bottom leaves varied from 1.83 to 40.48 mm2/cm2 and 2.21 to 30.91 mm2/cm2 respectively. The volume of spray deposition on the upper side of the top leaves and bottom leaves varied from 82.5 to 1201.53 × 10-6 cc/cm2 and 41.74 to 958.73 × 10-6 cc/cm2 respectively. The volume of spray deposition on the underside of the top leaves and bottom leaves varied from 22.63 to 601.62 × 10-6 cc/cm2 and 21.89 to 9418.4 × 10-6 cc/cm2 respectively. RSF varied from 0.46 to 1.22 and 1.37 to 3.77 for volume basis and number basis, respectively.