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Floating DropSpray System on trial in Switzerland Trials in Switzerland using the DropSpray System for chemical applications in field vegetables have shown it to double the efficacy of fungicide compared with those applied by conventional sprayers. Using the DropSpray system, the trials were carried out on bush beans - a type of Dwarf french beans used for canning - at the Swiss Federal Research Station where the efficacy of disease control was reported to have increased from 22 per cent to 75 per cent. In a second trial only half the amount of pesticide was applied using DropSpray system compared with conventional sprayers but almost identical levels of disease control were recorded. Leaf coverage with spray was also compared and Dr Jacob Ruegg who conducted the trials said: "It showed that while DropSpray system effectively covered 73 per cent of the leaf area - split almost equally between the tops and bottoms of the leaves - the conventional sprayer covered only 47 per cent virtually all of which was on the top side of the leaves."
The DropSpray system has spray nozzles attached to droplegs, which float through the crop and is recommended for use by growers of dense-canopy crops where penetration of chemical through the crop canopy can be problematic. Because the spray is applied more accurately the system reduces money spent on chemical while improving crop quality and the amount of saleable yield. Although most of the 16 systems already in use in the UK (Nov 2001) are used on field grown vegetables like potatoes, sprouts and cauliflowers, trials using the system on outside salad crops have taken place this year. "Essentially the DropSpray system can be used in any crop where there is a problem with spray penetrating the crop canopy. |
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