Performance evaluation of a commercially available tractor-operated aeroblast sprayer in mango (Mangifera indica) orchard.
Saha K. P., Varshney A. C., Suresh Narang
Author Affiliation: Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Nabibagh, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 038, India.
Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 72 : 701-705
Abstract : A commercially available tractor-operated aeroblast sprayer was evaluated during 2001 for its performance in laboratory and in mango (Mangifera indica) orchard with different speeds of tractor power takeoff shaft and 5 settings of flow rate-regulating valve. A straight-line relationship between discharge rate and the speed of power takeoff shaft of the tractor was observed. The sprayer can be operated at tractor forward speeds of 5.00 to 5.50 km/h with an effective field capacity of 2.30 to 2.40 ha/h without causing any discomfort to the operator. The application rate of chemical solution was 475 to 625 litres/ha. The deposition efficiency was 84.25 (±3.36) % on periphery of tree canopy. The penetration of chemical solution to tree canopies was sufficient for effective utilization of pesticide. The area of coverage on tree canopy in vertical plain was not sufficient with one main spout of the sprayer, necessitating modification in the design of the sprayer.