Investigation of Optimum Applied Voltage, Liquid Flow Pressure, and Spraying Height for Pesticide Application by Induction Charging

Abstract

Abstract. Superposition of charges to pesticide spray droplets by electrostatic induction principle plays an important role in plant protection. It influences spray droplets characteristics, deposition and wraparound effect on leaf surfaces. Hence, an adoption of optimum parameters combination will improve spraying effectiveness to reduce pesticide wastage and environmental pollution. This article investigated the effect of 0-12 kV applied voltages, 2-4 bar liquid flow pressures, and 20-60 cm spraying height regimes on spray chargeability, droplet sizes, spray swath, and droplets deposition while all other parameters were kept constant. The combined parameters of 12 kV applied voltage, 4 bar liquid flow pressure, and 60 cm spraying height produced maximum charged spray swath (1.98 m) and fine particulate droplet sizes (48.91 µm). However, applied voltage of 12 kV, liquid flow pressure of 4 bar at spraying height of 20 cm yielded maximum chargeability of -1.95×10-3 mC kg-1. Since spraying height influences the extent of pesticide spray coverage, a boom height of 60 cm is suitable for deposition in electrostatic pesticide application at 12 kV charging voltage and 4 bar liquid flow rate. The operation of combined optimum parameters took reference from a uniform plant height surface during spraying. Hitherto, the study would help farmers to select suitable electrostatic spraying parameters for pesticide application in plant protection. Keywords: Applied voltage, Charge-mass ratio, Droplet sizes, Liquid flow rate, Spray pressure, Spray swath.