In the coming year, more and more agents may only be sprayed with nozzles from a high drift reduction category (DRD 90%, 95%, 97.5%). With a conventional sprayer this can lead to problems for many growers.
90% drift reduction cap with injection injection 95% drift reduction
The additive Squall offers the solution: when Squall is added to the spray liquid with an injector on the field sprayer, this gives an extra drift-reduction step on top of all 50%, 75% and 90% drift-reducing nozzles for the down spraying. That means that a 90% drift reduction cap with Squall injection reduces 95% drift. In this way, the 90% drift-reducing cap can be used effectively for 95% agents, without making pressure registration mandatory. A godsend for many growers. The TCT (Technical Committee for Technology Assessment) has determined this on the basis of research by both Wageningen University and the University of Amsterdam.
Moderate coverage with anti-drift caps
Squall injection also solves a second problem: caps from a high drift reduction category give a coarse spray pattern; large drops that easily jump off the leaves lead to poor coverage. This makes many agents much less effective, especially when it comes to agents that have a contact effect. Squall was developed precisely for this purpose; it not only reduces the smallest drift-sensitive drops, but also ensures that the drops adhere to the leaf and flow out better. As a result, the coverage increases spectacularly. Squall is available in 10 liter cans and in affordable IBCs from any GWB supplier.
Squall admission
The approval of the TCT is based on an injection of Squall into the spray line. This can be done with an injector like the Raven Sidekick Pro. The spray and injection amount must be logged so that an inspector can read on a screen that Squall has been used in the correct dose. The authorization only applies to the 50%, 75% and 90% drift-reducing nozzle for downward spraying (table 1a. Of the DRD list).
New applications still pending
It is important to know that other combinations are currently also being applied for which are not yet allowed; the combination of Squall with the 95% drift reducing cap, the lowered spray boom and other combinations with DRT techniques such as the air-liquid mixing cap. The mentioned combinations allow a drift reduction of 97.5%, and so hopefully will soon also be on the TCT list in combination with Squall injection.
The first injectors for Squall have already been built with good results. The conclusion is that with Squall you can now use a better, finer cap, while at the same time improving the coverage due to the adhesive and fluid effect. Two birds with one stone!
Source: GreenA
