Field Device for Determining Atomization Properties of Agrochemical Tank Mixes

Responsible and efficient use of agrochemicals is a balance between mitigating the undesirable drift and other off-site movement and optimizing the efficacy of the applied spray. Often, these demands can be in direct conflict, e.g., very large droplets reduce drift but may run off the target or may be ineffective against pests on leaf undersides. Depending on the immediate weather conditions, the proximity to sensitive crops or areas, the pesticides being applied and the target pests, the applicator may desire to "fine tune" the application parameters such as nozzles, use of adjuvant, rate of active ingredients and method of application. Along these lines, applicators need additional methods and equipment to balance or optimize spray tank adjuvant performance and economics to achieve drift mitigation goals for a given application. A particular problem develops when a mix of chemicals is applied simultaneously. In these cases, a "tank mix" of many chemicals and adjuvants is prepared and sprayed. The interactions in the physical properties between the various products is virtually impossible to predict and there are virtually an infinite number of combinations.