Parasol sprayer for efficient chemical application in dwarf and semi dwarf mango orchards.
Ramana C., Jesudas D. M.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural College, Angrau-M.C. Farm (post), Nandyal - 518 502, India.
AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America 40 : 9-14
Abstract : A parasol sprayer for spraying mango orchard was developed based on physiological parameter of the mango tree and characteristics of hydraulic nozzles. Field trials have shown that the maximum deposition on the upper side of the leaf was 1,211.12 ng cm-2 on surface layers of the upper segment. Minimum deposition of 489.82 ng cm-2 was on the central portion of lower segment. Deposition on the bottom side of the leaf was around 1/3 of deposit on the upper side of leaf. The maximum ground deposit (186 ng cm-2) was observed between the trees along the row. The deposition between rows was minimum (28 ng cm-2). The capacity of the sprayer was also measured and the economics of operation was calculated. The parasol sprayer can cover 0.5 ha h-1 and resulted in savings of 90% in time and 87% in labour. The cost of operation was Rs. 435 ha-1, which gave a saving of Rs. 381 ha-1 compared to conventional spraying.