Efficacies of low- to high-volume (960-10 700 litre ha− 1) citrus sprayers for applying petroleum spray oil to control chinese wax scale

Petroleum spray oil (2, 4 and 6% in water) was applied to Valencia orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, for the control of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis del Guercio, using a low-volume ( <2000 litre ha^?1)air-blast (LV AB) sprayer, a low- to high-volume (L-HV) (up to 7000 litre ha^?1) sprayer with four fan-assisted rotary atomiser (FARA) spray heads mounted on a vertical tower, and a high-volume (>7000 litre ha^?1) oscillating boom (HV OB) sprayer. The most effective sprayer was the L-HV FARA sprayer. The most cost-effective treatment was a 20 ml litre^?1 (60 litre oil ha^?1) spray applied at 3000 litre ha^?1 by the L-HV FARA sprayer. It gave mortality equivalent to a standard 20 ml litre^?1, 10 700 litre ha^?1 spray (214 litre oil ha^?1) applied by the HV OB sprayer but with 72% less spray and significantly less oil deposited per cm² of leaf area. Equivalent or significantly (P = 0·05) higher mortality than that given by the 10 700 litre ha^?1 HV OB spray was given by the 40 ml litre^?1, 3000 (120 litre oil ha^?1) and 60 ml litre^?1, 2180 and 3000 litre ha^?1 (130·8 and 180 litre oil ha^?1) L-HV FARA sprays, but the 60 ml litre^?1 sprays deposited more oil per cm² than the 20 ml litre^?1 HV OB spray and were considered to be potentially phytotoxic. The least effective sprayer was the LV AB sprayer, which applied a 60 ml litre^?1 spray (57·6 litre oil ha^?1) at 960 litre ha^?1. Linear relationships were established for Chinese wax scale mortality, transformed using an angular transformation (arcsin proportion), versus log₁₀ spray volume for the 20, 40 and 60 ml litre^?1 sprays applied by L-HV FARA at 1260,2180 and 3000 litre ha^?1, mortality versus log₁₀ μg oil cm^?2 and log₁₀ μg oil versus log₁₀ volume of oil sprayed.     

A gas-liquid chromatographic method to determine size spectra of droplets of an aerially applied non-volatile spray mix deposited on kromekote® cards

A non-volatile oil-based spray mix of a low-vapour-pressure insecticide, aminocarb, containing an oil-soluble red dye was applied at a dosage rate of 70 g AI in 1-5 litre ha^?1, using a fixed wing aircraft equipped with four ?Micronair’?® AU3000 atomizers, over a 1000 × 500 m spray block selected in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. Spray was applied twice, at an interval of five days, to provide a total dosage rate of 140 g AI in 3.0 litre ha^?1. Spray mass recovery was assessed on glass plates and droplets were collected on ?Kromekote’?® cards, both at ground level. The stain sizes were grouped into different categories. The area containing the stains was excised, and the aminocarb present was quantified by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The mass of aminocarb per droplet in each stain size category was evaluated. From the mass, the spherical droplet diameter (d), number and volume median diameters (D_N.5 and D_v.5 respectively), a new parameter [mass (of aminocarb) median diameter] (D_M.5), and the droplet size spectra were calculated. The D_M.5 for the first application was 56 μm, which was identical to the D_v.5. whereas the D_N.5 was smaller at 45 μm. The corresponding values for the second application were: D_M.5 = D_v.5 = 63 μm, but the D_N.5 was 53 μm. Because the spray mix was non-volatile, all the droplet size spectra parameters were identical both at spray release height and at ground level. The present study has provided, for the first time in the literature, a novel method to determine directly the spherical diameters of the droplets deposited on artificial samplers, without having to go through the tedious procedures of spread factor measurements under laboratory conditions. In fact, the present study has made it possible to calculate spread factors under field conditions, by using the stain diameters measured and the spherical diameters calculated from the aminocarb concentration levels.     

Interception and persistence of parathion and fenvalerate on cotton plants as a function of application method

Parathion (O,O-diethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) and fenvalerate [(RS)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate] were applied by controlled droplet applicators (CDAs) and conventional hydraulic nozzles in refined soybean oil, soybean oil + water, or water, to mature cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as ULV (ultra-low volume, < 5 litre ha^?1), VLV(very low volume, 5-50 litre ha^?1), or LV(low volume, 50–200 litre ha^?1) carrier rates. The use of CDA or soybean oil applied as ULV and VLV sprays did not produce greater deposition or persistence for either insecticide during the 49-h test period following application. In general, insecticide persistence was greatest when applied with water or soybean oil + water as LV sprays using the conventional TX8 hydraulic nozzle.     

Relationship between the Spray Droplet Density of Two Protectant Fungicides and the Germination of Mycosphaerella fijiensis Ascospores on Banana Leaf Surfaces

The effect of fungicide spray droplet density (droplet cm^-2), droplet size, and proximity of the spray droplet deposit to fungal spores was investigated with Mycosphaerella fijiensis ascospores on the banana (Musa AAA) leaf surface for two contact fungicides: chlorothalonil and mancozeb. When droplet size was maintained at a volume median diameter (VMD) of 250 μm while total spray volume per hectare changed, M. fijiensis ascospore germination on the leaf surface fell below 1% for both fungicides at a droplet deposit density of 30 droplet cm^-2. At a droplet deposit density of 50 droplet cm^-2, no ascospores germinated in either fungicide treatment. When both droplet size and droplet cm^-2 varied while spray volume was fixed at 20 litre ha^-1, ascospore germination reached 0% at 10 droplet cm^-2 (VMD=602 μm) for both fungicides. At lower droplet densities (2–5 droplet cm^-2 VMD=989 μm and 804 μm respectively), ascospore germination on the mancozeb-treated leaves was significantly lower than on the chlorothalonil-treated leaves. The zone of inhibition surrounding a fungicide droplet deposit (VMD=250 μm) on the leaf surface was estimated to extend 1·02 mm beyond the visible edge of the spray droplet deposit for chlorothalonil and 1·29 mm for mancozeb. The efficacy of fungicide spray droplet deposit densities which are lower than currently recommended for low-volume, aerial applications of protectant fungicides was confirmed in an analysis of leaf samples recovered after commercial applications in a banana plantation. Calibrating agricultural spray aircraft to deliver fungicide spray droplets with a mean droplet deposit density of 30 droplet cm^-2 and a VMD between 300 and 400 μm will probably reduce spray drift, increase deposition efficiency on crop foliage, and enhance disease control compared to aircraft calibrated to spray finer droplets. © 1997 SCI.     

Influence of formulation properties on droplet size spectra and ground deposits of aerially-applied pesticides

The influence of the physical properties of the spray liquid on droplet size spectra and ground deposits of aerially-applied pesticides was studied using heavy (high-viscosity) oil- and water-based suspensions of wettable powders (w.p.), a clear solution in a light (low-viscosity) oil, and an emulsion-suspension containing a bacterial control agent. The heavy oil provided a highly viscous spray medium, 52 to 64 mPa s (at a shear rate of 480 s^?1), resulting in large droplet sizes and a high deposit on the ground sampling units. When the spray medium was thickened with petroleum jelly to keep the w.p. in suspension during overnight storage, the viscosity became excessively high (102 mPa s at 480 s^?1), and the droplet spectrum was undesirably coarse and resulted in poor coverage of the spray plot and low deposits. The light-oil-based solution (ca 4 mPa s), provided a finer droplet spectrum and lower deposits than the heavy-oil-based formulations. The water-based suspensions of the w.p. (ca 2 mPa s), showed Newtonian behaviour, whereas the emulsion-suspension (ca 240 mPa s at 480 s^?1) showed pseudoplastic behaviour. Consequently, the emulsion-suspension provided a markedly different droplet spectrum from that of the suspensions of the w.p. Nevertheless, all three aqueous media provided deposits comparable to those of the light-oil-based solution, markedly lower than the heavy-oil-based suspensions. The study indicated that highly viscous Newtonian formulations should be avoided in pesticide applications using Micronair AU3000 atomisers at the volume rate (4–7 litre ha^?1) used here if high atomisation efficiency is required.     

Deposition of aerially applied tebufenozide (RH5992) on balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and its control of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.])

A field trial was conducted in 1994 to determine the foliar deposit of tebufenozide (RH5992), applied aerially, and its efficacy against spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). A commercial 240 g litre^-1 formulation of the insecticide (Mimic 240LV) was mixed with water, dyed with a tracer dye (Rhodamine WT) and sprayed with a light fixed-wing aircraft. Six application strategies were tested. Five used 70 g AI ha^-1 in a spray volume of 1 or 2 litre^-1 ha^-1 with single or double applications; the sixth was an unsprayed control. Results show that the spectra of the spray applications were, with one exception, fairly uniform. Volume and number median diameters ranged from 100 to 130 μm and 27 to 72 μm, respectively. Mean number of drops cm^-2 on Kromekote cards were <2·0 for strategies where either 1 or 2 litre ha^-1 were sprayed. Nevertheless no one strategy produced droplet densities that were significantly different (P<0·05) from the other strategies. Tebufenozide recovered from foliage averaged 2·5 to 5·9 μg g foliage^-1 when 1 litre ha^-1 was sprayed and 5·8 to 6·8 μg g foliage^-1 after 2 litre ha^-1 were sprayed. When a single application was the strategy used, the mean number of droplets cm^-2 and μg tebufenozide g foliage^-1 ranged from 1·2 to 1·4 and 2·5 to 5·9, respectively. With double applications, the same response parameters ranged from 0·3 to 1·9 and 2·5 to 6·8, respectively. Budworm population reductions (%) and the number of larvae that survived tebufenozide treatments were significantly different (P<0·05) from the controls. After strategies that used 1 litre spray ha^-1, mean percentage population reductions ranged from 61·4 to 93·6 whereas populations were reduced by 85·6 to 98·3% when 2 litre ha^-1 were sprayed. After double applications the mean percentage population reductions ranged from 93·6 to 98·3, but single application strategies resulted in mean reductions of 61 to 86%. Mean population reductions in the controls were 61%. The mean number of larvae per branch that survived spray strategies of 1 litre ha^-1 ranged from 1·3 to 7·4, and from 0·4 to 1·3 when 2 litre ha^-1 was the spray volume. In the controls an average of 10·2 larvae survived. With one exception, mean percentage defoliation in the treated areas was also significantly less (P<0·05) than that in the control. Mean defoliation in trees sprayed at 1 litre spray ha^-1 ranged from 40 to 62·8% whereas those treated at 2 litre ha^-1 had mean defoliation levels from 31·5 to 62·8%. In contrast, average defoliation in the controls was 92·1%. When a single application was the spray strategy, mean defoliation ranged from 31·5 to 62·8%. These data imply that a double application of tebufenozide at 70 g in 2 litre ha^-1 was the most efficacious strategy. However, analyses of the data also show that the primary influence on deposits and defoliation was interactions between number of applications and spray. Nevertheless the two independent variables acted without significant interactions when influencing percentage reductions of spruce budworm populations. © 1998 SCI     

Spray deposit patterns and persistence of diflubenzuron in some terrestrial components of a forest ecosystem after application at three volume rates under field and laboratory conditions

Spray deposit patterns and persistence of diflubenzuron [1-(4-chlorophenyl)- 3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea] in white pine (Pinus strobus L.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) canopies, forest litter and soil were studied after aerial application of a 250 g kg^?1 wettable powder formulation, ‘Dimilin® WP-25’, at 70 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1, using three volume rates (10, 5 and 2.5 liters ha^?1) over three blocks in a mixed forest near Kaladar, Ontario, Canada, during 1986. Spray droplets were sampled at ground level using ‘Kromekote®’ cards, and diflubenzuron deposits were collected on glass plates. Droplets were the largest (with a volume median diameter of 250 μm) at the 10 liters ha^?1 rate, resulting in the highest number of droplets per cm² on the Kromekote cards and deposits of diflubenzuron on glass plates. Deposits on foliage, litter and soil were also correspondingly the highest. At the 5.0 and 2.5 liters ha^?1 rates, volume median diameter values were smaller (195 and 150 μm, respectively) and deposits on the substrates were markedly lower. In the spray block that received 10 liters ha^?1, diflubenzuron persisted in foliage as long as 120 days after treatment, but it lasted for only about a week in forest litter and soil samples. At 5 and 2.5 liters ha^?1, diflubenzuron failed to persist in foliage as long, and residues in litter and soil, which were barely above the quantification limit, persisted only for a few days. Laboratory studies, conducted under constant meteorological conditions using different droplet-size spectra, showed that deposit levels were not affected when the volume median diameter of the spray cloud decreased from 253 μm to 145 μm, but were markedly reduced as this progressively decreased from 92 to 37μm. The dissimilarities between the field and laboratory findings were attributed to meteorological and other factors influencing droplet deposition on tree canopy in aerial applications of pesticides over forests.     

Impact of volatility reduction agents on dicamba and glyphosate spray solution pH,droplet dynamics,and weed control

BACKGROUND

Regulations in 2021 required the addition of a volatility reduction agent (VRA) to dicamba spray mixtures for postemergence weed control. Understanding the impact of VRAs on weed control, droplet dynamics, and spray pH is essential.

RESULTS

Adding glyphosate to dicamba decreased the solution pH by 0.63 to 1.85 units. Across locations, potassium carbonate increased the tank-mixture pH by 0.85 to 1.65 units while potassium acetate raised the pH by 0.46 to 0.53 units. Glyphosate and dicamba in tank-mixture reduced Palmer amaranth control by 14 percentage points compared to dicamba alone and decreased barnyardgrass control by 12 percentage points compared to glyphosate alone 4 weeks after application (WAA). VRAs resulted in a 5-percentage point reduction in barnyardgrass control 4 WAA. Common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and giant ragweed control were unaffected by herbicide solution 4 WAA. Dicamba alone produced a larger average droplet size and had the fewest driftable fines (% volume < 200 μm). Potassium acetate produced a larger droplet size than potassium carbonate for D_v0.1 and D_v0.5. The addition of glyphosate to dicamba decreased droplet size from the entire spray droplet spectrum (D_v0.1, D_v0.5, D_v0.9).

CONCLUSION

A reduction in spray pH, droplet size, and weed control was observed from mixing dicamba and glyphosate. It may be advisable to avoid tank-mixtures of these herbicides and instead, apply them sequentially to maximize effectiveness. VRAs differed in their impacts on spray solution pH and droplet dynamics, but resulted in a minimal negative to no impact on weed control. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Biological activity of neem seed kernel extracts and synthetic azadirachtin against larvae of Plutella xylostella L

The activity of two neem extracts, AZT and NEEM-AZAL (containing 30 and 3 mg azadirachtin ml^?1 respectively) and synthetic azadirachtin (AZ) against second-instar larvae (L2) of Plutella xylostella L. was examined using leafdip bioassays. On Chinese cabbage, AZ was significantly (P <0.05) less toxic (3 to 4-fold; LC₅₀ 0.54 μg AZ ml^?1) than either neem extract against a laboratory strain of P. xylostella (FS). The LC₅₀ values for AZT against the FS and another laboratory strain (Wellcome) were not significantly different on Chinese cabbage. The activity of AZT against the FS and Wellcome strains was similar on Chinese cabbage and Brussels sprout. AZT was significantly less toxic (3-fold) on Brussels sprout against an acylurea-resistant field strain (Sawi) when compared with the FS strain on Chinese cabbage. Larval mortality (at day 13) was found to increase with increasing exposure time of P. xylostella (FS) larvae to AZT-treated Chinese cabbage, although there was little difference in mortality between 48 and 120 h exposure. When AZT, NEEM-AZAL and AZ were applied at a dose (1 μg AZ ml^?1) which gave end-point mortalities between 50 and 90% (at day 13), all treatments delayed the development of a proportion of surviving larvae but no morphogenetic abnormalities were observed in larvae which reached pupation. Evidence for antifeedant (reduced weight gain) and repellant effects (choicechamber) for AZT were observed with L2 P. xylostella (Wellcome) on Chinese cabbage. AZT was also shown to have ovicidal activity against P. xylostella (Wellcome) at relatively high dose ranges (10-1000 μg AZ ml^?1) as well as some contact activity (FS strain) in topical bioassays. In residual bioassays on glass with adults of the hymenopteran endo-larval parasitoid of P. xylostella, Diadegma semiclausum (Ichneumonidae), AZT showed little or no activity at rates up to 1000 μg AZ ml^?1. In medium-volume (MV, 200 litre ha^?1) and ultra-low-volume (c. 1 litre ha^?1) spray bioassays on Brussels sprout, AZT gave 16-92% and 88-100% mortality respectively (Wellcome strain) at rates approximating to 1-20 g AZ ha^?1. The residual activity of AZT and NEEM-AZAL against P. xylostella (FS) on Brussels sprout (MV spray) was observed to decrease appreciably after three days, the decline in activity being particularly marked for NEEM-AZAL.     

Off-target glyphosate from aerial silvicultural applications,and buffer zones required around sensitive areas

Off-target glyphosate deposits were measured downwind of aerial silvicultural applications which used D8-46 hollow-cone hydraulic nozzles, ‘Micronair’ AU 5000 rotary atomisers, and the ‘Thru Valve Boom’ (030), with volume application rates of 35, 20 and 20 litre ha^?1 respectively, and a glyphosate application rate of 2·1 kg ha^?1. Crosswind spray lines were released 10 m above ground level over a short forest canopy, from a fixed-wing aircraft flying at 45 m s ¹ in atmospheric boundary layers with average wind speeds and air temperatures of 2·2-3·7 m s^?1 and 8-23°C at release height. Ground sheets and artificial foliage clusters were exposed at downwind distances of between 50 and 300 m. Glyphosate deposit measurements at various downwind distances (x) were fitted with non-linear regression lines; deposits were attenuated at rates inversely proportional to x at powers of 1·3-2·3. For a particular trial, deposits on ground sheets and artificial foliage were generally similar, and ranged between 19 and 0·04 mg m^?2 over the sampling distances used. For 100-ha applications the estimated buffer-zone widths around water bodies were less than 50 m, whereas those around non-target vegetation ranged between 75 and 1200 m, depending on the application method and the meteorological conditions.     

Assessing the efficiencies of low and high volume methods of applying pesticides to tobacco

Low volume carbendazim sprays (25–100 litre/ha) applied with a knapsack mistblower fitted with twin nozzles or a mesh diffuser were compared with high volume sprays (760 litre/ha) from three pairs of ‘Spraying Systems’ Y6 nozzles on the vertical boom of a knapsack pressure sprayer. The carbendazim concentration and total amount deposited were measured by thin-layer chromatography and bioassay. The twin nozzles, which directed two spray streams 50° apart, deposited most fungicide on the plants using 100 litre/ha, and in two experiments 76 and 80% of theoretical amounts applied per plant were detected in or on the leaves. At 25 litre/ha, the distribution was less uniform and the deposit efficiency was 74%. The mesh diffuser at 100 litre/ha was less efficient; where the spray was directed between and parallel to the rows of tobacco the deposits were 26 and 42% of the total carbendazim applied, whereas directing the spray at an angle of about 45° towards the rows of tobacco increased the deposit to 57%. Sprays applied at a pressure of 410 kPa (4.1 bar) from Y6 nozzles deposited only 16% of the active ingredient onto the leaves. Better control of powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe cichoracearum was obtained with dinocap using the mesh diffuser than with either the Y6 nozzles or with dusts from a motorised duster.     

Assessment of a mathematical model to predict spray deposition under laboratory track spraying conditions. II: Examination with further plant species and diluted formulations

Mean spray depositions onto leaves of five plant species (Zea mays L., Vicia faba L., Sinapsis alba L., Glycine max (L.) Merr, Vitis vinifera L.) were measured following spraying of an array of 36 solutions of acetone + aqueous “Triton X-100” varying systematically in composition and properties. The spraying was carried out on five occasions using a standard laboratory track sprayer delivering the equivalent of 600 litre ha^?1 onto a plane surface around plant height. The results, plotted as response surfaces, showed that there was little variation in spray deposition with solution composition for V. vinifera, there were some slight decreases in deposition with increase in “Triton X-100” concentration on V. faba and S. alba, though not with increase in acetone concentration, and that there were slight systematic increases for G. max and large systematic increases for Z. mays with increase in acetone and “Triton X-100” up to concentrations of 350 ml litre^?1 and 0.5 g litre^?1 respectively. At higher concentrations of these components, there were no further increases in deposition on these latter species. The results were in agreement with those predicted by a mathematical model derived previously, with the exception of the slight decreases in deposition on V.fana and S.alba and smaller increases in deposition than predicted on G.max. The decreases in deposition on the former species were attributed to slight run-off from their easy-to-wet leaves at the higher “Triton X-100” concentrations at the spray volume rate (600 litre ha^?1) used. The poor fit of the observed and predicted spray depositions on G. max was attributed to the nature of its leaves. These are hairy and it is speculated that the fine hairs, rather than the true leaf surface, played a major role in capturing the small spray drops (115-130 μm) created by the laboratory sprayer used in this work. The observed and predicted spray depositions with a set of diluted commercial-type formulations were in good agreement for Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv., Pisum sativum L., Z. mays, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.985, 0.988 and 0.935 respectively, and also for the more constant depositions on the easy-to-wet species Beta vulgaris L., but slightly less so for Triticum aestivum L. (r = 0.886) in this test. Overall the model was well-behaved, giving a good prediction of the variation in spray deposition on leaves of a range of plant species, provided that these were not extensively hairy, with variation in the dynamic surface tension of the spray solution.     

Reinvestigating adjuvants for the wild oat herbicide,flamprop-M-isopropyl. II: Field performance

A field trials programme was conducted in which the performance of a new emulsifiable concentrate formulation (ECI) of flamprop-M-isopropyl containing the adjuvant, ‘Dobanol’ 25-7, in a ratio of 2:1 (by weight) with the AI, was compared with the current commercial formulation of ‘Commando’, in combination with its recommended adjuvant, ‘Swirl’, for the control of wild oat (Avena fatua L.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A further treatment, in which the ‘Dobanol’ 25-7: AI ratio was increased to 4:1 by the spray tank addition of the former, was also included. The mean results from six trials (five wheat, one barley) showed that the addition of ‘Swirl’ to ‘Commando’ was beneficial, increasing wild oat floret control from a mean value of 80% to 92% at current recommended rates (flamprop-M-isopropyl, 600 g ha^?1; ‘Swirl’, 2.5 litre ha^?1). However, combinations of flamprop-M-isopropyl and ‘Dobanol’ 25-7 gave superior levels of control even at lower AI application rates. For example, a mean level of 96% control of Avena spp. was obtained at 300 g AI ha^?1 with 1200 g ha^?1 ‘Dobanol’ 25–7; with even better control at higher rates of application of both components. This improvement in performance was accompanied by a higher risk of crop phytotoxicity than observed with the ‘Commando’/‘Swirl’ mixtures. Symptoms initially were scorch and subsequently growth depression, particularly of tillers. None of the mean values in the six ‘efficacy’ trials reached commercially unacceptable levels, but in a further six ‘crop effects’ trials (three wheat, three barley), in which double rates were applied, the levels of phytotoxicity did become unacceptable and subsequently reduced grain yields. In contrast, two barley ‘crop effects’ trials gave yields higher than the control plots, possibly through the effects of reducing stem length and lodging thereby enabling more efficient harvesting. Nevertheless, there were rates of application of flamprop-M-isopropyl in the range 300–400 g ha^?1 with ratios of ‘Dobanol’ 25-7 in the range 2:1 to 4:1 that would achieve high levels of control of Avena spp. without undue risk of crop phytotoxicity and further trials are planned to support this new adjuvant system.     

Influence of temperature on physical properties of non-aqueous pesticide formulations and spray diluents: Relevance to u.l.v. applications

The viscosity, surface tension and volatility of a range of ultra-low-volume (ULV) spray diluents and pesticide formulations were measured at 5°C and 20°C. For u.l.v. application of 1.0 to 1.5 litre ha^?1 through conventional boom and nozzle systems or rotary (Micronair) atomisers, it is concluded that the spray medium should have a viscosity of ?30 mPa s at 20°C. The surface tension values covered only a narrow range and showed little temperature dependence. There was no clear optimum and all surface tensions within the range measured would appear to be acceptable for ULV applications. The volatility factor, 1/(A.T_1/2), where A represents the percentage of non-volatile material in the spray mixture and T_1/2, the half-life (minutes) of evaporation, should be <40 times; 10^?5.     

Effect of ammonium sulphate and related salts on the phytotoxicity of dichlorprop and other herbicides used for broadleaved weed control in cereals

In glasshouse experiments, additions of 10–100 g 1^?1 ammonium sulphate enhanced the phytotoxicity to broadleaved weeds and cereals of several water-soluble herbicides applied post-emergence in 75–300 1 ha^?1 with hydraulic nozzles. Studies with dichlorprop potassium salt and chickweed Stellaria media (L.) Vill. examined interactions between ammonium sulphate and environmental, application and formulation factors. Simulated rainfall immediately after spraying greatly reduced dichlorprop activity, whether or not ammonium sulphate was present. However, when there was an interval of 2–24 h between spraying and rainfall, the additive increased phytotoxicity. Surfactants tended to reduce dichlorprop phytotoxicity to Stellaria media, both in the presence and absence of ammonium sulphate. Certain other inorganic salts including sodium sulphate also enhanced phytotoxicity. Applications by rotary atomizer in very low spray volume (15 1 ha^?1, 250–280 μm drops) were less effective than conventional 150 1 ha^?1 applications. When very low volume application was used, addition of ammonium sulphate or nitrate tended to reduce activity further. In the field, ammonium sulphate significantly increased the effects against weeds of a commercial dichlorprop potassium salt formulation applied conventionally in 200 1 ha^?1 spray volume. Neutralized phosphoric acid had a similar effect but a mixture of this additive and ammonium sulphate reduced phytotoxicity. Both additives slightly increased dichlorprop injury to barley.     

Microdroplet application for determination of comparative topical and residual efficacy of formulated permethrin to two populations of diamond back moth (plutella xylostella L.)

An on-demand, uniform droplet generator was used to apply 120 μm diameter drops of formulated permethrin either directly onto 3rd-instar Plutella xylostella, of two Ohio populations, or onto the abaxial surface of leaf discs (1-1000 drops cm^?2) to which those larvae were subsequently exposed. Incorporating a fluorescent tracer (Saturn Yellow GT-17N) in the spray mixture confirmed that ?direct hit”? larvae had received a topical dose from a single droplet. There was little difference in the LC₅₀/LD₅₀ for either population of P. xylostella when 24 and 48 h mortality assessments from direct hits were compared, but the LD₅₀ of Celeryville larvae was 6-8 times greater than that of Fremont larvae. Residual deposits of 120 μm drops containing approximately the LC₅₀, based on the topical assays, revealed that a droplet density providing a dose per cm² leaf surface of more than 1000 times the LD₅₀ was required to cause median mortality. The efficiency of utilisation, based on the topical LD₉₅ values, was 0.0006% and 0.072% for Fremont and Celeryville larvae, respectively.     

Disappearance of carbosulfan residues in peaches

The disappearance kinetics of the carbamate insecticide, carbosulfan, applied at 2 kg AI ha^?1 (‘Marshal’ 250 g litre^?1 EC) in peaches was studied. Degradation took place in two consecutive stages (0–28 and 28–57 days), with half-lives of 7.4 and 17.5 days, respectively. The residues obtained 57 days after treatment did not exceed 0.2 mg kg^?1. When treatments were carried out 30, 21 and 14 days before the probable date of harvest (date of fruit maturation) with two doses (1.0 and 2.0 g formulated product litre^?1) and two volumes applied (750 and 1500 litre ha^?1), the residual levels detected were between 0.122 mg kg^?1 (30 days before harvest) and 0.4 mg kg^?1 (14 days before harvest). The major metabolite, carbofuran, was never detected above its determination limit of 0.004 mg kg^?1 throughout the whole study.     

Targeting Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) adults with low‐volume applications of insecticides alone and in combination with sex pheromone

BACKGROUND: Studies surveyed the toxicity of several insecticides against adult codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and examined the field effectiveness of applying low‐volume (12 L ha^?1) sprays alone or in combination with a microencapsulated (MEC) sex pheromone formulation. RESULTS: Neonicotinyls, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids significantly reduced fecundity at concentrations nearly 100‐fold lower than their maximum labeled field rate. Field studies in 2005 demonstrated that six applications of esfenvalerate resulted in > 90% reduction in fruit injury versus the untreated check. The addition of the MEC pheromone formulation did not further improve control. Five sprays of esfenvalerate, phosmet and acetamiprid all significantly reduced levels of fruit injury compared with the untreated control in 2006. Esfenvalerate and acetamiprid mixed with the MEC pheromone significantly reduced fruit injury compared with the MEC‐only treatment. Significant increases in pest and decreases in predator mite densities occurred in plots treated with esfenvalerate in both years. Low‐volume sprays of phosmet and acetamiprid did not disrupt mites. CONCLUSION: Low‐volume insecticide sprays can effectively manage codling moth and are less disruptive of integrated mite management. Developing an effective ‘attract and kill’ technology with this approach will require optimization of the attractant(s) to maximize moth exposure to insecticide residues. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Contact and fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils and efficacy of spray formulations containing the oils against B‐ and Q‐biotypes of Bemisia tabaci

BACKGROUND: The contact + fumigant toxicity of 92 plant essential oils and control efficacy of 18 experimental spray formulations containing nine selected essential oils (0.5 and 0.1% sprays) and six commercial insecticides to females from B‐ and Q‐biotypes of Bemisia tabaci were evaluated using vapour‐phase mortality and spray bioassays. RESULTS: Garlic and oregano (LC₅₀, 0.15 mL cm^?3) were the most toxic oils against B‐ and Q‐biotype females. Strong fumigant toxicity to both biotype females was also obtained from catnip, cinnamon bark, clove bud, clove leaf, davana, savory and vetiver Haiti oils (LC₅₀, 0.17–0.48 mL cm^?3). The 0.5% sprays of these oils (except for thyme red oil) resulted in 90–100% mortality against both biotype females. Only garlic applied as 0.1% spray provided 100% mortality. Spinosad 100 g L^?1 suspension concentrate (SC) treatment resulted in 92 and 95% mortality against both biotype females, whereas acetamiprid 80 g L^?1 wettable powder (WP), imidacloprid 80 g L^?1 SC, thiamethoxam 100 g L^?1 water‐dispersible granule (WDG) and pyridaben 200 g L^?1 WP treatments resulted in 89–100% mortality against B‐biotype females only. CONCLUSION: In the light of global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic insecticides in the agricultural environment, the essential oils described, particularly garlic, cinnamon bark and vetiver Haiti, merit further study as potential insecticides for the control of B. tabaci populations as fumigants with contact action. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spray retention and distribution on apple trees

Total deposits and their distribution on bush and dwarf hedgerow apple trees, sprayed at the late dormant and full foliage stages with a copper fungicide by five different methods, were estimated by colorimetric determination of the acid-extracted copper from all the tree parts, and for comparison purposes were converted to equivalent volumes retained. The bush trees were sprayed by hand lance (4500 litresha-¹), by automatic nozzle mast sprayer (2250 litres ha^?1), by conventional air-blast sprayer at medium volume (1125 litres ha^?1) and low volume (560 litres ha^?1), and by hand-directed ultra-low-volume (ULVH) fan-assisted spinning-disc sprayer (6 litres ha^?1). The hedgerow trees were sprayed by conventional air-blast sprayer at low volume (560 litres ha^?1) and by an experimental tractor-mounted ultra-low-volume air-blast sprayer (45 litres ha^?1). At the late dormant stage, the bush trees retained only 9–22 % of the total spray applied by all methods, except that those sprayed by the hand-directed ULVH sprayer retained 57%. At the full foliage stage, when most of the spray was deposited on the leaves, retention for all methods of application was 22–37%. The hedgerow trees at late dormancy retained 6% of the spray applied in low volume and 10% of that by tractor-mounted ultra-low-volume methods, but at full foliage, retention was 25 and 63 %, respectively. On both types of tree the proportions of the spray deposited on the tree components were related to the surface areas of those components.