Long-term fans of electrostatic spray technology, Priest Bros has had Silvan electromisers since the mid-1990s.

Now, a new-generation, Italian-built Martignani provides the right combination of size and performance for the fourth-generation orchardists.

Priest’s orchard represents 80 years of apple growing in Pakenham – an industry that once dominated the region – with Norm Priest’s grandfather having bought an orchard from the Salvation Army in 1926.

Priest Bros, now in the hands of Norm and his two sons Paul and Shane, grows 26ha of apples under net and provides packing services for other growers in a modern facility.

Regardless of apple trends, Priest Bros’s professional focus has been firmly fixed on optimising production.

“We are probably moving more fruit in a week than what they did in a year back then,” Norm said.

“It has even improved sinceI started.”…

To Know more read the complete article: A NEW electrostatic spray rig is making its mark for Pakenham apple grower Priest Bros.

Hoy somos huéspedes de la empresa Frutas Esther S.A.

Nos recibe el Director Técnico, el Ingeniero Agrónomo D. Jorge Gómez Montiel, el cual nos dice que la empresa cultiva, sobre una superficie de 1100 hectáreas: uva de mesa, melocotones, nectarinas, albaricoques, ciruelas y fresas.

La empresa tiene dos sedes principales:
una, como ya hemos dicho, en Abarán, la otra, donde se cultivan las fresas, en Cartaya (Provincia di Huelva en la Región Sur de Andalucía, a aproximadamente 100 km al sudoeste de Sevilla).

El Ing. Gómez Montiel nos dice también que las primeras informaciones sobre las máquinas Martignani, le llegaron a través de algunos agrónomos, quienes elogiaban sus cualidades y manifestaban de usarlas desde hace años.

Los pulverizadores electrostaticos Martignani utilizados en la compañía actualmente son 6/seis y han sido comprados a partir del año 2004.

Los puntos más destacados y las ventajas logradas con el uso de los nebulizadores son:

Ahorro de tiempo (%): 30-50%

Ahorro de trabajo/mano de obra (%): 10-25%

Ahorro de agua:
- Litros/hectárea aplicados según las instrucciones Martignani por hectárea que varían, en relación a la fase de crecimiento y al tipo de cultivo, de 70 litros/hectárea hasta 500 l/hectárea máximo.
NOTA: Los 70 l/ hectárea se lograron, gracias al uso, en uva de mesa, del nuevo difusor “Gib-Dor”

Productos químicos ahorro (%) por hectárea 10-15%

El Ing. Gómez Montiel por último nos cuenta que con la uva de mesa han logrado utilizar productos que no podían utilizar con los otros turbo atomizadores convencionales que manchaban las uvas.
Trabajar con pulverizadores electrostaticos Martignani le ha permitido a Frutas Esther S.A ahorrar también mucho tiempo, reduciendo así notablemente los costes de producción/mano de obra (ya que se efectúan menos llenados con los pulverizadores Martignani respecto a un turbo atomizador tradicional), ahorrar también producto químico gracias a la ausencia de goteo y por último, pero no menos importante, lograr mantener e incluso aumentar la eficacia de varios productos químicos utilizados.

Frutas Esther S.A, CTRA. de la estación km 1,9 CP: 30550, Abarán (Murcia) España
TLF: 0034968770000

http://www.esther.es/en/index.htm

Abarán belongs to the comarca of Vega Alta del Segura, the chief town of which is Cieza.

Today, we are guests of Frutas Esther S.A.

We are welcomed by the technical director, Agricultural engineer D. Jorge Gómez Montiel, who explains that the enterprise cultivates its crops over an area of some 1100 hectares. These crops include: table grapes, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and strawberries.

The enterprise possesses two main headquarters:

one, as mentioned, in Abarán, the other in Cartaya (in the province of Huelva in the Southern Region of Andalusia about 100 km to the South West of Seville), where strawberries are grown.

Eng. Gómez Montiel also tells us that he heard about the agricultural machines produced by Martignani through certain of his agronomist acquaintances who had been using them for years and who were well aware of their quality.

To date, the enterprise has used 6/SIX Martignani Electrostatic Mist blowers purchased at different times from the year 2004 onwards.

The main strong points and advantages obtained from use of these mist blowers are

Time savings (%): 30-50%

labour/manpower savings (%): 10-25%

Water savings:

- litres/hectare actually applied according to Martignani’s instructions, varying, in relation to the growth phase and type of crop, from 70 litres/hectare up to a maximum 500 l/hectare.

- The goal of 70 l/hectare was achieved, in table grapes, thanks to the new design spray head

Savings on chemical products (%) per hectare: 10-15%

Lastly, Eng. Gómez Montiel tells us how they were able to use products, for their table grapes, that they would have been unable to use with conventional air blast sprayers since the grapes would have become stained. Working with Martignani’s Electrostatic mist blowers also allowed Frutas Esther S.A. to save a lot of time (cutting down on production/labour costs to a considerable extent because Martignani mist blowers don’t have to be filled as often as the normal turbo sprayers) and save on chemicals since there is no dripping. Last but by no means least, they were able to ascertain how Martignani mist blowers maintain and even increase the efficiency of the various different chemicals used.

Frutas Esther S.A, CTRA. de la estación km 1,9 CP: 30550, Abarán (Murcia) Spain

Tel.: 0034968770000

http://www.esther.es/en/index.htm

The next day, the same demo, was carried out at Del Sol Refrigerating, a table grapes farm located in Marrakech (Morocco), by using their Whirlwind B612 1000 l 90+90 Electrostatic Mist Blower.

The demo on grapes was done with just 100 and also 200 l/ha in order to compare both coverage which didn’t much defer.

After sunset, with a powerful UV torch, the impressive and even leaves coverage achieved with the Martignani Electrostatic was shown to both customers.

Here below some images:

Somos huéspedes del señor Rodrigo Espinosa, ingeniero agrónomo de esta empresa y además el encargado del “Proyecto Papaya”.

Según el ingeniero Espinosa, la superficie total cultivada con papaya variedad “Solo Sunrise” es de 260 hectáreas.

Al comienzo utilizaron dos nebulizadores electrostáticos Martignani Mod. Whirlwind B612 600 l Turbo 2 de ruedas que compraron entre 2002 y 2004 (el segundo) después de las indicaciones que les suministró el representante de “Martignani”  Unideco SA (www.unideco.com) mientras que los otros nebulizadores fueron adquiridos en diciembre de 2010, para un total de 4 unidades.

Con cifras en mano el ingeniero Espinosa nos habla de las principales ventajas que se obtienen tras el uso de las máquinas equipadas con el sistema “Martignani KWH” y sobre todo se centra en los ahorros significativos obtenidos en materia de tiempo de trabajo, mano de obra, el consumo de agua (volumen bajo) y productos químicos.

En forma más detallada nos dice que el ahorro se hace evidente al demostrar que con cada máquina puede cubrir un promedio de 7 hectáreas de cultivos por día, sin necesidad de utilizar 6 trabajadores como era antes.

Para el ingeniero Espinosa es importante detenerse en lo que considera el aspecto más significativo para la empresa al utilizar los nebulizadores Martignani, puesto que en los últimos 5 años han usado diariamente las máquinas, y gracias a un mantenimiento básico pero preciso y oportuno, lograron que funcionaran por más de 8.000 horas.

Teniendo en cuenta que el cultivo de la papaya está sometido a cambios en el tamaño (altura) en tiempos reducidos, la gran versatilidad de las máquinas “Martignani” les permitió intervenir en el crecimiento de la planta en sí, con un ajuste sencillo y fiable. Esta actividad ha permitido obtener una cobertura más uniforme del producto bañado de forma lineal con respecto a la hilera de fruta sin gotear en el suelo y la reducción de la deriva obteniendo frutas más bellas y sanas.

Ambos satisfechos con los nebulizadores-electrostáticos Martignani, nosotros como productores y ellos como usuarios, luego terminamos la conversación con algunas bromas pero con la esperanza de mejorar para producir eliminando los residuos, salvaguardando la salud de quienes participan en el procesamiento y en el consumo del producto una vez comercializado.

Mr. Espinosa informs us that the total surface area planted with the “Solo Sunrise” variety of the papaya fruit amounts to 260 hectares.

Initially, two Martignani Whirlwind B612 600 l Turbo 2, trailer-mounted, electrostatic sprayers were used. These were purchased between 2002 and 2004 (the second one) following the advice of the “Martignani”  representative (UNIDECO SA – www.unideco.com). A further two sprayers were purchased in December of 2010, making a total of 4 units today.

Figures to hand, Mr. Espinosa explains the main advantages obtained since using the machines fitted with the “Martignani KWH” system, pointing out the considerable savings in operating times, labour, water consumption (low volume)  and chemicals.

To give an example of such savings, each machine is capable, on average, of covering 7 hectares of cultivation per day using 6 fewer workers than it was before.

Mr. Espinosa finds it interesting to reflect on that which he considers to be the most important benefit of using Martignani sprayers in the company. He tells us that over the last 5 years the machines have been used every day of the week, and thanks to minimal, yet accurate and well-timed maintenance, they have managed to operate them for a good 8000 hours.

Since the cultivation of the Papaya fruit is affected by changes in its size  (height) over a short period of time, the versatility of the “Martignani” machines has allowed the company to intervene during the growth of the plant itself by using simple and reliable adjustments. This has allowed a more uniform coverage of the product to be obtained as the rows of fruit are sprayed in a linear fashion without dripping onto the ground and with reduced air drift, resulting in a more  presentable and healthier fruit.

Both satisfied with the Martignani electrostatic sprayers, ourselves as the manufacturer and Terrasol as the user, we end our enjoyable conversation without ceremony but with the desire to do more to improve production while eliminating waste where possible, and at the same time, safeguarding the health of those engaged in the production and the consumption of the product once released onto the market.

…Back to today – a summary of the information on Wikipedia tells us:
“Cider is an alcoholic beverage obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of the fruits of any of the plants in the Rosaceae family, and the Pomoideae subfamily in particular, which includes apples, pears and quinces; its manufacture originates in the Middle Ages. More than 95% of global cider production is made with apples, but for connoisseurs, the cider with the best bouquet seems to be made from quinces, and is very rare. In France, the fermentation of pears produces a cider-like beverage called perry.

This drink is very popular in France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and Switzerland and production is particularly concentrated in Normandy and in Asturias. In contrast, its origins in Italy are difficult to determine …”
This is a useful means to introduce the pleasant conversation which we had with Mr Jean-Pierre Lebreton, the owner of a farmstead which covers a total area of 126 hectares, including almost 9 hectares of apple trees dedicated to cider production, which are the focus of our article below.

We are in the town of Rene, north of Mans, in north-central France. We are in a region called the “Pays de La Loire” in the department of “Sarthe” (NR 72).

Mr Lebreton owns a 1500-liter-capacity Whirlwind B612 Turbo 2 mist sprayer, to which he was first introduced and explained the benefits by the company CHABAS SA (appointed “Martignani-KWH System” distributor for France) during a demonstration event called the “Sées 61 Technical Day,” as the result of which, he bought a unit at the end of 2009.

The Whirlwind B612 Turbo 2 mist sprayer has since demonstrated its quality is on site and, according to Mr Lebreton, has enabled him to save 30 minutes in the treatment of 5.5 hectares of apple trees in comparison to the machine that he used previously.

He has also saved almost 780 liters of water per hectare and, with these results in mind, Mr Lebreton has decided to set himself a goal of achieving a mixture volume per hectare (mixture = water + chemical) of more or less 180 liters per hectare.

He has achieved a saving of 10% per hectare in chemicals during this first season (2010), and he has set himself another goal – specifically, he wants to progressively reduce the quantity per hectare, and thus achieve a 15% saving during his second season (2011), and a 20% saving in his third season (2012).

Mr Lebreton has also been impressed by the extreme ease of use, as well as the long-term precision and reliability of the calibration/volume per hectare adjustment and thus the general usage of the machine – facts that he has noticed for himself.

Finally, he praised the thoroughness of the local CHABAS technical sales team, who supplied the machine as well as professional assistance.

Not bad at all!

These are ambitious goals, but, knowing the Whirlwind B612 Turbo 2 mist sprayer, we have no doubts whatsoever that Mr Lebreton and his workers will successfully achieve these aims.

…revenons à nos jours, et résumons quelques données provenant du site Wikipedia :

« Le cidre est une boisson alcoolisée obtenue par la fermentation alcoolique des fruits de quelque plante de la famille des Rosaceae, en particulier de la sous-famille Pomoidee, dont font partie les pommes, les poires et les coings dont l’origine remonte au Moyen age. Plus du 95% de la production mondiale du cidre est réalisée avec les pommes, mais pour les connaisseurs le cidre avec le bouquet le meilleur paraisse être celui dérivé par les coings, très rare. En France par la fermentation des poires on obtient une boisson pareille au cidre appelée poiré.

Cette boisson est très répandue en France, en Espagne, en Allemagne, en Irlande, aux Pays Bas, en Finlande et en Suisse et la production est concentrée, en particulier, en Normandie et aux Asturies. Par contre, en Italie l’origine est difficile à repérer… »

Cette dissertation à été utile afin d’introduire l’agréable entretien qui s’est écoulé avec M. Jean Pierre Lebreton, patron d’une exploitation agricole qui s’étend sur une surface total de 126 hectares dont presque 9 hectares de Pommiers pour la production de cidre, concernés par notre article ci-dessous.

Nous sommes dans la ville de Rene, au nord du Mans, dans le centre nord  de la France. Nous sommes dans la région appelée “Pays de La Loire” dans le département (NR 72) de la “Sarthe”.

M. Lebreton possède un Pulvérisateur Pneumatique Modèle Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 1500 l de capacité, qu’il a connu et apprécié pour la première fois par l’intermédiaire de la société CHABAS durant une journée de démonstrations appelée « Journée Technique Sées 61 » et que, en suite, il a acheté à la fin du 2009.

Le Pulvérisateur Pneumatique Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 a pu démontrer sur champ ses qualités et, à ce que M. Lebreton nous dit, il a permis de gagner 30 minutes (par rapport à la machine employée auparavant) dans le traitement d’une parcelle de 5,50 hectares de Pommiers ;

L’économie d’eau a été de presque 780 litres/hectare et, considérant ces résultats, M. Lebreton a établi de se donner comme but d’arriver à un volume/hectare de mélange (mélange = eau + produit chimique) de 180 l/hectare à peu près.

L’économie de produit chimique obtenu pendant cette première saison (2010) a été du 10 % / hectare, ils se sont donnés d’autres buts à atteindre et, spécifiquement, ils ont établi de réduire  progressivement la quantité/hectare et donc d’arriver au 15 % pendant la deuxième saison (2011) et au 20 % pendant la troisième saison (2012).

M. Lebreton s’est arrêté aussi sur l’extrême facilité, la précision et la fiabilité au cours du temps de l’etallonage/réglage des volumes à appliquer/hectare et donc dans l’emploi générale de la machine, il a pu constater personnellement tous ces caractéristiques.

Enfin, il a loué le sérieux de l’équipe technico-commercial locale de la société CHABAS qui lui a fourni la machine et l’assistance qualifiée.

Vraiment pas mal!

Il s’agit de buts ambitieux mais, connaissant le Pulvérisateur Pneumatique Modèle Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2, nous n’avons aucun doute que M. Lebreton et ses collaborateurs réussiront à atteindre positivement ces « propos ».

EARL LEBRETON DJP
La Longraie
72260 RENE – FRANCIA

We have come to meet Mr Philippe Cimetiere, the owner of a farmstead which extends over a total area of 17.5 hectares, including 6 hectares for apple trees, 5 hectares for pear trees, and 0.65 hectares for cherry trees.

He tells us that he is the satisfied owner of a “KWH” Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 mist blower with a 1,500 L capacity, which he decided to buy it in March 2009, after having first had the opportunity to find out about it and to understand its benefits thanks to the company CHABAS SA (appointed “Martignani-KWH System” distributor for France) during the well-known SIVAL trade fair, which takes place annually in the town of Angers (also in the Loire Valley).

Mr Cimetiere briefly lists the main advantages of using the machine during this first year:

• the volume applied per hectare was approximately 300/500 liters per hectare lower when compared to the traditional machines that he used previously, providing an overall saving of approximately 60,000 litres of water, as well as time savings due to the lower number of refills required.
• chemical product savings of 30% per hectare, especially fungicides.

In terms of the “KWH” Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 mist blower, Mr Cimetiere tells us simply and kindly that he also appreciates:
- its extreme ease of use
- the long-term precision and reliability of its calibration/adjustments to the application volume per hectare, and thus the general use of the machine.

He expressed a few “constructive” criticisms about the intake filter, which he found difficult to unscrew, and the tank level indicator, in which there is no graduation for the first 300 litres.

We politely pointed out to him that the tank is large because it has a capacity of 1,500 litres, and it would therefore be difficult to have an extremely detailed, precise graduation for the first 300 litres; however, the problem was solved thanks to the addition – UPON REQUEST by the customer – of the optional “graduated level separator kit”, which is mounted on the front of the machine and thus provides excellent visibility from the operating position.

To know more:

EARL LA JONCHERE
138 Route D’Ouvrouer
45110 Sigloy (Orléans) – FRANCE
Tel. +3302.38.58.45.45
E-mail: philippe.cimetiere@wanadoo.fr

Sigloy,

Il s’agit d’un Territoire fascinant et pétri d’histoire, nous sommes proches de la ville d’Orléans dans la très célèbre Vallée de Loire, fameuse pour ses Châteaux et pour Jeanne D’Arc, région importante aussi pour la production des fruits de table. Sont renommés non seulement les plantations de poires et de pommes, mais aussi les vignes dont on obtient d’excellents vins.

Nous sommes en compagnie de M. Philippe Cimetiere, propriétaire  d’une exploitation agricole qui s’étend sur une surface totale de 17,5 hectares dont presque 6 hectares de Pommiers, 5 hectares de Poiriers et  enfin, 0,65 hectares a Cerisiers.

Il nous dit qu’il est l’heureux possesseur d’un Pulvérisateur Pneumatique “KWH” Mod. Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 1500 l de capacité, qu’il a décidé d’acheter au mois de Mars du 2009, après avoir eu la possibilité de le connaître et de l’apprécier par l’intermédiaire de la société CHABAS SAS pour la première fois pendant le célèbre Salon qui à lieu annuellement dans la ville d’Angers (toujours dans la vallée de la Loire) appelé “SIVAL”.

M. Philippe Cimetiere nous résume les principaux avantages relevés pendant cette première année d’utilisation de la machine :

• Volume hectare appliqué environ de 300/500 litres/hectares inférieur par rapport à la machine conventionnelle qu’il employait auparavant avec une économie globale d’environ 60000 litres d’eau ainsi qu’un gain de temps par l’effet du nombre inférieur de remplissages nécessaires.

• Economie de produit chimique du 30 %/hectare surtout de fongicides

A propos du Pulvérisateur Pneumatique “KWH” Mod. Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 avec simplicité et gentillesse, M. Cimetiere nous dit que :

- il apprécie aussi l’extrême facilité,

- la précision et la fiabilité au cours du temps de l’etallonage/réglage des volumes à appliquer/hectare et donc dans l’emploi générale de la machine.

Il exprime quelques critiques….“constructives”, à propos du filtre d’aspiration qui, à son avis, est inconfortable à dévisser et l’indicateur du niveau du réservoir dans le quel il n’y a pas la graduation des 300  premiers litres.

Poliment, nous lui faisons remarquer que le réservoir est grand puisqu’il a une capacité de 1500 litres, il devient donc difficile d’avoir une graduation très détaillée et précise sur les 300 premiers litres, de toute façon le problème peut être résolu grâce à l’ajout, SUR DEMANDE du client, de l’option « Kit séparateur de niveau gradué » qui se monte à l’avant de la machine apportant donc une excellente visibilité du poste de conduite.

EARL LA JONCHERE
138 Route D’Ouvrouer
45110 Sigloy (Orléans) – FRANCE

Tel. +3302.38.58.45.45
Email: philippe.cimetiere@wanadoo.fr

Wikipedia’s reference to the history of the town of Zichron Ya’akov, with regard to the role of the “Martignani” Electrostatic Mist Blowers, is of particular importance:
“…Following a number of economic failures, in 1885 Baron Rothschild helped to establish the first winery in Israel, Carmel Winery, together with a bottling factory, in Zikhron Ya’akov. This was more successful economically although it was initially short-lived as in 1892 the grapevines succumbed to phylloxera, a type of parasite. After a brief set-back, American seedlings which were resistant to phylloxera were grown and the winery began to flourish. Today, the winery remains in action, as do the huge wine cellars that were carved into the mountain over a century ago…” (from wikipedia).

Between both the family business (belonging to them) and the one to which he is a partner in Egypt, Shachar and Adi Karniel currently manage a total of over 300 hectares of land cultivated with grapes (primarily table grapes for export), 150 hectares cultivated with mangos and 120 hectares cultivated with Paolonia trees.
Our first business relations with Mr Karniel date back to 1986 when he followed advice to purchase one of our machines. Since then he has, directly or indirectly, begun to use a further fourteen “Martignani” Electrostatic Mist Blowers, bought in Israel and Egypt respectively in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010. Five of these machines are used in Israel and the remaining nine at Dofad Farm in Egypt.

We can therefore say without any doubt that, over the years, Mr Karniel has had the opportunity to field test and verify the functionality of the “Martignani” Electrostatic Mist Blowers, obtaining from them the best possible balance between performance and economy.
In fact, the benefits achieved over the years have been as follows:

• Chemicals saving (%)…30 %
• Time saving (%) …65 %
• Labour saving (%)…45 %
• Water saving (l/ha applied with the Martignani)…70 %

We end our discussion on this expert and tenacious farmer with some of his final remarks, which we quote in full. We do not wish to resort to the usual clichés, but note what he chooses to mention first in his observations:
“This amazing Machine is a money saver! Not only chemicals and time…
Also the maintenance is very cheap
Calibration in two minutes and super accurate!”
You can believe him…

www.eima.it

]]> http://www.electrostaticspraysystem.com/eima-2010-international-agricultural-machinery-exhibition.html/feed 0 http://www.electrostaticspraysystem.com/mr-rey-rademeyer-junior-of-the-delarey-rademeyer-trust-farms.html http://www.electrostaticspraysystem.com/mr-rey-rademeyer-junior-of-the-delarey-rademeyer-trust-farms.html#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:16:21 +0000 admin http://www.electrostaticspraysystem.com/?p=136 Today we are meeting Mr. Rey Rademeyer Junior, who is the co-owner, together with his father, of the Delarey Rademeyer Trust Farms, Louterwater, and also the farm manager.

We are in South Africa in the Eastern Cape region, and precisely in the area known as Langkloof, a valley between the Kamanasie and Kouga mountains in the north, and the Outeniqua- Langkloof and Tsitsikamma mountains in the south. It is the second largest fruit production area in South Africa and apples and pears are the main agricultural products.

Mr. Rademeyer tells us that his farm is 140 ha in extent, of which 80 ha  are planted with apples and the remaining with pears.

He was introduced to Martignani electrostatic machines by their spray technical adviser of 30 years, Mr. Billy Swiegelaar.

After careful analysis of their requirements and of the possible choice of machines, they decided to purchase, within 6 months, 3 x 1500 litre “Martignani” Electrostatic Sprayer B612 Turbo 2, one in December 2009, and one each in February and May 2010, which are now working full time.

Mr. Rademeyer has supplied us with the results of his careful reports on the efficiency of the machines and on the advantages achieved by using the “Martignani” Electrostatic mist blowing system in his farm vs. the conventional air blast sprayers, and the numbers speak for themselves:

Time/Labour saving: 15%

Water Saving (l/ha applied with the Martignani): 40% (Important remark: Vast areas of Langkloof  valley are currently heavily affected by drought)

Chemicals saving: 15% (aiming to 35%)

Furthermore he kindly showed us the modification he had made to the spray heads lay-out and protection plates added to the machine for their orchards to avoid damages
to the heads (see pictures).

We thanked Mr. Rademeyer for his kindness and cooperation and for having shared with us the modification made to the machines, as we, at Martignani, appreciate very much the input
we receive from our clients concerning possible improvements.

For us it is of fundamental importance to constantly develop and improve our machines.

It is our mission to supply products that can help the farmer to achieve the best possible results according to the requirements of the person who has put his trust in Martignani
and our machines.

A few images of one of  Rademeyer’s farm Electrostatic mist blower

To know more visit: Electrostatic Mist Blower vs. Air Blast Sprayer

A. Cesari, R. Davi*, F. Castagnoli**, P. Flori

Department for the Protection and Development of Agri-foodstuffs Plant Pathology Section – University of Bologna (Italy)

You can download the .pdf file clicking on the link: Low Volume” Phytoiatric Applications With Electrostatic Distribution Systems

Foreword and scopes

Use of “electrostatic” and “electrodynamic” equipment in the “low volume” pesticide distribution systems employed for plant protection is arousing considerable interest owing to the improvements it can achieve in the formation of an even coating of the product it deposits over the plants in question.

While the polarity induced in the finely micronized drops reduces wastage due to drift, it also prevents the drops from aggregating during the dynamic phase of the conveying action and from overlapping each other when they strike the surfaces of the plants.

This produces significant effects on the degree of protection achieved and reductes the amount of product that goes to waste (Marchant and Green, 1982; Spilman, 1984).

Interesting results were observed when these systems were used for treatments on herbaceous crops such as wheat, barley, cotton, etc. (Lav. 1982; Arnold et al., 1984) even though in certain cases, penetration of the pesticide mixture into the vegetation was limited by the thick foliage (Cayley et al., 1985).

On the other hand, there are few indications concerning applications on tree crops, especially as the progressive establishment of the “low volume” method (Cesari et al., 1984) would appear to represent an interesting option (Inculet et al., 1981).

To add to the information concerning the real possibilities offered by electrostatic systems, certain trials were conducted during the 1984-85 two-year period.

The intention was to assess the efficacy of a “low volume” pneumatic-electrostatic mist blower used for treatment against apple scab by applying progressively lower doses of fungicide while quantifying the amount of product that actually deposited on the treated surfaces.

Materials and methods

The tests were conducted in the province of Ravenna in an 8-year old apple orchard covering some 600 m2 (cv. “Starkrimson”) cultivated with the fan-tree method (2.10 x 4.10 m) and with foliage (L.A.I.) measuring an average 8 m in length. The trees were 350 cm in height and the foliage 100 cm thick.

The tested equipment was a pneumatic system (MARTIGNANI-KWH-B612) operating at a “low volume” (100 l/ha in 1984; 120 l/ha in 1985), which had been fitted with an electrostatic device able to generate a 15000 Volt potential difference with 150 μ voltage.

The phytoiatric efficiency was assessed on the basis of the degree of protection against Venturia inaequalis provided by the two systems, pneumatic and pneumaticelectrostatic, which were operated one at a time. The machines advanced at a speed of 6 kph during the treatment.

The fungicide products used were bitertanol + mancozeb in 1984 and triforine + dithianon in 1985, applied in progressively decreasing doses (-25% in 1984; -20% and – 40% in 1985) compared to the “standard” dose used at a “normal volume” of 1500 l/ha (tab. N° 1 and N° 2).

At both times, the treatments against apple scab were carried out to combat infections which had occurred during the period between blooming and growth of the fruit (tab. N° 1 and N° 2).

Assessments made after all the infections had been dealt with involved the fruit and leaves at three different foliage heights (h1 50-150 cm; h2 150-250 cm; h3 250-350 cm).

During 1984, assessments were also made in order to achieve a comparative evaluation of the amount of plant protection product (bitertanol) deposited on the apple tree leaves after one single application of a “standard” dose. Samples were then subjected to gas-chromatographic analysis after extraction of the active principle.

Analysis of the results

Working in conditions that were very favourable for the development of v. inaequalis infections and using a mixture of fungicides possessing a high degree of biological activity, especially in relation to the curative function, a good degree of leaf and fruit protection was observed for both the distribution systems used, as shown by the results obtained during the course of 1984 (tab. N° 1).

However, the tendency of the pneumatic-electrostatic system to provide a better protection for the leaves than the fruit was observed in these conditions.

25% dose reductions did not appear to sensibly influence the degree of leaf protection provided by the two systems. On the other hand however, and unlike the results observed for the “standard” dose applications, it should be emphasized how the pneumatic-electrostatic system tended to achieve a higher degree of action on the fruit.

In relation to the protection provided by the two systems at the various different foliage heights and to the different doses used, progressively increasing values of apple scab infection were evident in both the leaves and fruit as the height of the foliage progressed from 50 cm to 350 cm.

The assessments made in 1985, when the tests were conducted in the presence of

a more serious infection than the previous year owing to the considerable quantity of v. inaequalis inoculum and using a mixture of fungicides possessing a high curative and preventive action (trifoline + dithianon), highlighted more marked differences in the action of the two distribution systems than those observed in 1984, also in relation to dosage reduction and the type of plant organ being protected.

More specifically, when the tests were conducted with a “standard” dose, we noted that the pneumatic-electrostatic system always provided a superior degree of action, although to no significant extent, than the pneumatic system in relation to both the foliage and fruit.

The electrostatic system’s greater degree of action was particularly evident with decreasing doses of product when it came to protecting the fruit, where applications with this system using doses reduced by 20% did not diminish the degree of action in any significant way, unlike the pneumatic system. In actual fact, the applications made with the pneumatic-electrostatic distribution system with doses reduced by 20% achieved similar results to those obtained with the pneumatic system and “standard” doses of product.

A further reduction to the dose (40%) led to a significant decrease in the degree of protection for both the systems as compared to applications with “standard” doses of product. In such operating conditions, the pneumatic system also presented significantly reduced levels of action in relation to applications made with the pneumatic-electrostatic system and 20% dosage reductions.

TAB. N° 1 – Distribution systems, product doses and results of the protection treatment against apple scab – year 1984 -

TAB. N° 2 – Distribution systems, product doses and results of the protection treatment against apple scab – year 1985 -

When the dose was reduced by 40%, a significant decrease in the degree of foliage protection for both the systems was only observed in comparison with the pneumaticelectrostatic system and “standard” doses.

Further analysis of the results concerning the trend of the % increases in the degree of action provided by the electrostatic system as compared to the pneumatic one in relation to dosage variation (Fig. N° 1) showed that while, speaking of the fruit, that increase grew as the doses decreased, there were no appreciable variations on the foliage, thus confirming that the electrostatic system is highly efficient for fruit protection.

With regard to the protection achieved at the different foliage heights, the results of the previous year were confirmed again, thus the degree of action provided by both the systems decreases as the plants become taller.

The analysis showed that there was a greater amount of active principle deposited on the leaves (Fig. N° 2) in the plots treated by the pneumatic-electrostatic system and this confirmed the results of the biological action.

We also noted that when the product was applied with the electrostatic system, the presence of wind (0.3 m/sec.) did not influence the formation of the deposit in either of the rows directly subjected to the treatment, on which the weighted values were more or less identical.

The results of the applications made with the pneumatic system were extremely different, as a greater quantity of product was applied to the downwind row, thus highlighting the problem of reducing drift.

The results obtained from the two-year experimentation allow the following considerations to be made:

- Applied to the “low volume” pneumatic system, the electrostatic device sensibly improved

the phytoiatric efficiency of the treatment against apple scab.

FIG. N° 1 – Variation of the ratios pertaining to the % increases of the degree of foliage and fruit protection provided by the electrostatic system as compared to the pneumatic one in relation to the reduction in the dose of product applied per unit of area.

	fruit
	% increases in the degree of protection
	foliage
% dose reduction

FIG. N° 2 – Foliage coverage of bitertanol after an application with the examined distribution systems

Left-hand rows		Right-hand rows
wind direction	Line of advancement		pneumatic-electrostatic system
(0.30 m/sec)	of vehicle		pneumatic system

- The more evident positive effects of the applications made with these systems were achieved in relation to fruit protection, also when reduced amounts of product were used.

Compared to the pneumatic system used with the “standard” dose, the degree of protection did not diminish when 20% less product was used even when serious infections by the pathogen were treated.

- Since it created less drift, the pneumatic-electrostatic system also proved to be superior when it came to plant coverage, as less product was dispersed in the environment and wasted.

- However, the pneumatic-electrostatic system failed to achieve any substantial improvements in the protection of the higher parts of the foliage, where drift phenomena were more accentuated.

This was evidently due to the attenuation to which the electrostatic charges were subjected owing to the longer distance the droplets were forced to travel in order to reach the tops of the trees.

In conclusion, the electrostatic system proved to be valid owing to the advantageous way it was able to distribute plant protection products over tree crops by means of equipment operating in the “low volume” mode.

More specifically, this system helps to get the most out of “low volume” applications since it improves the degree of coverage over the plants, particularly the fruit, reduces the amount of product that goes to waste through drifting or losses on the soil and thus requires less of the plant protection product itself.

However, use of the electrostatic system generally depends on the chemio-physical and biological characteristics of the pesticide employed, the type of pathogen and the seriousness of the infection it causes as well as the shape and size of the foliage treated.

Summary

Efficacy of “Low Volume” Sprays for Apple Scab Control With The Electrostatic-Pneumatic Spray System.

The results obtained during a two-year trial period clearly demonstrated the superiority of an electrostatic-pneumatic spray system as compared to a simple pneumatic system for treating apple scab with fungicides, especially as regards fruit protection.

Lower fungicide doses (up to 20% less) could be delivered by this system since less product was wasted due to drift while a higher amount was deposited on the surface of the fruit.

However, the pneumatic-electrostatic system did not appear to substantially improve the degree to which the taller parts of the foliage were protected.

Bibliography

Arnold A.J. et al. (1984). Biological effectiveness of electrostatically charged rotary atomisers. I. Trials on field beans and barley. 1981. Annals of applied biology, 105, 353-359.

Cayley G.R. et al. (1985). Review of the relationship between chemical deposit achieved with electrostatically charged rotary atomisers and their biological effects. British Crop Protection Conference; Symposium on application and biology, 28, 87-96.

Cesari et al. (1984). Confronto fra sistemi di distribuzione e dosaggi diversi nella difesa dei fruittiferi dai fitofagi (acari e cemiostoma). Atti Giornate Fitopatologiche, 2, 243-252.

Inculet et al. (1981). Deposition studies with a novel form of electrostatic crop sprayer.

Fourth international conference on electrostatics to be held in the Hague, the Netherlands, 6-8 May 1981.

Law S.E. (1982). Spatial distribution of electrostatically deposited sprays on living plants.

Jour. of Econ. Entom. 75, 524-544.

Marchant J.A., Green R. (1982). An electrostatic charging system for hydraulic spray nozzles. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 27, 309-319.

Spillman J.J. (1984). Spray impaction, retention and adhesion: an introduction characteristics. Pestic. science, 15, 97-106.

——————-

* E.R.S.O. scholarship holder working on research financed by the Regione Emilia-Romagna authority – Department for Productive Activities, Agriculture and Nutrition. ** E.S.A.V.E. scholarship holder.

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Very Low Volume Applications In An Apple Orchard By An Air-Carrier Sprayer With Four Electrostatic Twin-Fluid Nozzles

Summary
A field test using an air-carrier sprayer with four electrostatic twin-fluid nozzles (A) was conducted.
This machine was adjusted so as to distribute a very low volume in an apple orchard.
Distribution quality was assessed, with particular reference to drift and losses on the soil.
To obtain a complete comparison, an air-carrier sprayer with hydraulic nozzles and axial fan (B) and an air-carrier sprayer with hydraulic nozzles and centrifugal fan (C) were also tested. Both machines functioned with a high volume.
The trials were conducted by using water-sensitive collectors and the data (covered area, number of droplets and VMO) were obtained by using an image analyzer.
Subsequently, a covered area contour map on a vertical plane, crosswise to the tree crop rows, was made for each sprayer so as to represent the dimensional planes of the areas covered in percentage terms by the droplets sprayed by the three machines and to assess the drift and losses of liquid on the soil. Assessments were also made of the plant health aspects by checking the crop subjected to the various different treatments.
However, comparisons were only made between sprayers A and B.

The results obtained as to the distribution dynamics were clearly in favour of machine A. As regards plant health, this machine provided effects that were similar to the conventional one and its efficacy against aphids and apple scab actually proved to be significantly superior.

Introduction
Besides aspects of a functional type concerning the spraying equipment (such as use of volumes reduced to suit the characteristics of the crops, the pests involved, the type of plant protection product used and the method for breaking up and distributing the droplets), the need to lessen drift and losses on the soil when plant protection products are applied to fruit crops in this particular case, must also involve geometric-constructional aspects with a view to evening out the distances between the dispensing points of the machines and the actual crop itself.

Thus certain tests were conducted to identify a better geometric position for the nozzles of a spraying machine featuring a pneumatic atomising system with electrostatic charge able, from the functional aspect, to reduce drift and losses on the soil thanks to the remarkably low volume with which it was able to work while maintaining an ample safety margin when it came to the efficacy of the treatments (Cesari et al., 1986, 1990).

Materials and Methods
Work was carried out during 1990 in the I. Masotto farm situated in Zevio (VR) and concerned apple crops of the Golden Delicious cultivar (grade B) on E.M.9 rootstock, cultivated in the spindlebush mode with 4.10×1.40 m planting distance and rows pointing North-South. The average age of the trees was 5 years and they were up to 3.5-4.0 m in height, depending on the growth period.

The plot of land used during the tests was divided into two parcels measuring 9,500 and 6.300 m², which were treated with machines A and B, respectively.

The former machine (A) was a KWH-Martignani towed sprayer with split dispensing system and two distribution units, one in a low position according to the conventional configuration and the other in a high position (fig. 1).

The two spraying nozzles of the lower unit were at a fixed height (45 cm from the ground) and were positionable on the vertical crosswise plane while the upper ones were also positionable in this way as well as being adjustable in height (260 cm from ground level in the tests) and positionable on the horizontal plane (40° in the backward direction during the tests).

Since the sprayer was the pneumatic atomiser type, the fan, which was in a central position behind the tank, was centrifugal with a 25,000 m³/h total nominal flow rate. This remarkable value, actually necessary in view of the split spraying nozzle system, was achieved thanks to the rate at which the impeller turned (314 rad/s, i.e. 3000 rpm). This rate was obtained with the PTO at 56 rad/s (540 rpm) and a double suction impeller, thus with double blading. The flow created, which could also be regulated, was then distributed in a vertical current so as to supply the upper units and in a horizontal current for the lower ones.
The two flows were then switched to the individual spraying nozzles.

The low pressure centrifugal fluid pump routed the mixture to four nozzles (one for each distribution unit) equipped with a graduated scale on which a pointer was positioned.
This allowed the overall fluid flow rate to be adjusted from 150 to 4800 dm³/h in a very precise way, another positive characteristic of the machine.
Moreover, there was a device for electrostatically charging the droplets for each pair of distribution units.

The system was complete with two fibreglass-reinforced plastic tanks, each of which with a capacity of 250 dm³ and its own filling
port.

Figure 1: the Martignani low volume air-carrier sprayer with electrostatic twin-fluid nozzles.
In the diagram on the left, the arrows indicate the positions in which the four spraying nozzles could be adjusted.

The second machine (B), owned by the farm, was a self-propelled mixed atomiser with a 2,000 dm³ capacity fibreglass-reinforced plastic tank, two centrifugal fans (one on each side), a 30,000 m³/h total air flow rate, 7 open cone nozzles on the right-hand side and 8 cone nozzles on the left-hand side with 1.5 mm diameter washers except for the two lower nozzles whose diameter was 1.2 mm.

The machine functioned with 1,500 dm³/ha volume and 18 bar operating pressure. It advanced at a speed of 5.8 kph.

The effects of the treatments applied by the two machines were assessed on infestations of rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea), fruit tortrix (Eulia pulchellana) and on secondary infestations of apple scab (Venturia inaequalis).

The treatment against rosy apple aphid was applied on 11 May following an attack that was superior to the after blossoming tolerance level, i.e. 2% of the shoots were affected. A 2.15 kg/ha dose of a 38.5% Ethiofencarb-based product was used. 165 dm³/ha of the mixture was sprayed by machine A and 1500 dm³/ha with machine B.

Besides being subjected to a first treatment on 5 May (which could not be assessed since there were very few larvae present), a further specific treatment against the second generation of Eulia larvae was carried out on 30 June and against the third generation on 20 August.
A product based on 22.1% Chlorpyrifos-methyl was used in both cases. A 2.25 dm³/ha dose was used against the second generation of which 160 dm³/ha was applied with machine A and 1500 with machine B while on 20 August, a 3.0 dm³/ha dose was applied with both the low volume machine and the one that operated with normal volumes.

The quantity of Chlorpyrifos-methyl on the fruit was assessed 15 hours after this last treatment.

Only the secondary summer infections of apple scab were assessed as machine A had only been available from the month of May onwards, after the main spring infections had already occurred. These assessments were made after the treatments of 19, 23 and 29 May.
These treatments had been indispensable owing to the infected rain that fell from 17 to 29 May. 80% strength Captan was used on 19 and 29 May at the dose of 2.25 kg/ha, by spraying 160 dm³/ha and 1500 dm³/ha with the farm’s machine. 75% strength Dithianon was used on 23 May when a 1.12 kg/ha dose was applied using both machines.

The apple scab control was conducted on 20 June when fresh blotches were discovered on the last 5 apical leaves of the shoots.

To ascertain the distribution dynamics, tests were conducted at the end of July to assess how the droplets, consisting of water alone in this case, were dispersed on the ground and in the air.
These assessments were made with a series of water-sensitive collectors, as illustrated in the diagram of figure 2.

Figure 2: Diagram (one site) of the spatial distribution of the water-sensitive collectors used to assess droplet distribution.
The same paper cards can also be partially seen in the bottom diagram, which highlights the staggered pattern that prevents future interference in droplet captation.

The distribution characteristics, i.e. the number of droplets per unit of area, the diameter of the droplets and the area covered, were successively assessed by means of the water-sensitive collectors, using a Zeiss mod. IBAS image analyzer comprising a stereo-microscope, a television camera and a computer with relative software.

To achieve an even more complete comparison, besides comparing the two previously described machines, a conventional sprayer (C) was also tested, obviously in relation to distribution dynamics alone.
This sprayer featured mechanical atomisation with full cone nozzles and 1500 dm³/ha distributed volume.
The droplets were conveyed by means of an air flow typically created by an axial fan, with a 40,000 m³/h flow rate in this particular case.

Results
Phytopathological aspects

	Sprayer A
	Sprayer B
	shoots with live aphids (%)

0-1 m 1-2 int. m 1-2 ext. m 2-3 m
assessment height (m)

Figure 3: percentage of shoots with live aphids 4 days after treatment

	Sprayer A
	Sprayer B
	live adult aphids per shoot (N°)

0-1 m 1-2 int. m 1-2 ext. m 2-3 m
assessment height (m)

Figure 4: average number of live aphids per shoot observed 4 days after treatment and counted on the last 3 leaves of 100 infested shoots

As can be seen in from the histograms of figures 3 and 4, the efficacy of the treatment against colonies of rosy apple aphids was significantly superior when machine
A was used, i.e. the machine that operated with a low volume, positionable jet, pneumatic atomisation and an electrostatic charge.
This result was even better on the external part of the foliage.
The results of the treatment against Eulia larvae given in figures 5 and 6 concerning control of the 2nd and 3rd generation, respectively, show that there were no significant differences in the efficacy of the treatments applied by the two machines and that in both cases, the few live larvae found during the control were concealed between two leaves.
The results of the analyses of the residues in the fruit 15 hours after treatment with chlorpyrifos-methyl showed differences that were of no significance, thus further problems with chemical residues were not created by the higher concentration of the mixture sprayed by machine A.

Lastly, the control of the effects of the treatment against apple scab showed (fig. 7) that the low volume pneumatic machine A was more efficacious than the conventional machine B with the exception of the lower part of the foliage, where the differences were not
significant.

	Sprayer A
	Sprayer B
	dead larvae (%)

0-1 m 1-2 int. m 1-2 ext. m 2-3 m
assessment height (m)

Figure 5: control of second generation Eulia larvae 2 days after the treatment of 30 June

	Sprayer A
	Sprayer B
	dead larvae (%)

0-1 m 1-2 int. m 1-2 ext. m 2-3 m
assessment height (m)

Figure 6: control of third generation Eulia larvae 2 days after the treatment of 20 August

	Sprayer A
	Sprayer B
	leaves affected by the infection (%)

0-1 m 1-2 int. m 1-2 ext. m 2-3 m
assessment height (m)

Figure 7: control of apple scab blotches on the leaves on 20 June (sample of 200 leaves per assessment)

Dynamic aspects of distribution
Computer processing of the data obtained from the water-sensitive collectors, particularly in relation to percentage coverage, allowed us to create cross-section diagrams of the rows similar to the one given in figure 2, which also shows the isocoverage curves, i.e. places in the plane vertical-transversal to the rows where the actual coverage values are the same.
In other words, considering any point of the diagram, the iso-coverage curve that passes over it gives the value of the percentage of covered surface of a leaf or of any other flat object physically present in that point or ideally in that position.

Spray A drift and losses on the soil
The first diagram shown in figure 8 refers to sprayer A using water alone at 150 dm³/ha in climatic conditions featuring a temperature of 26°C, 79% humidity and a 0.5 m/s breeze blowing in the north-east direction (measured at a height of 2 m in the open field), thus slanting 40° in relation to the south-north position of the
rows.

t = 26°C 79% R.H	wind 0.5 m/s

Figure 8: iso-coverage curves (dimensioned plane) obtained by computer processing the assessments made with the aid of water-sensitive collectors and concerning pneumatic sprayer
A operating at 150 dm³/ha. The numbers alongside the curves represent the percentage values of
coverage.

t = 29°C 50% R.H.	wind 1 m/s

Figure 9: dimensioned plane of the percentage coverage of the distribution achieved by conventional atomiser C at 1500 dm³/ha.

The graph shows a substantially symmetrical group of curves as compared to the inter-row space where the machine passed through, with a slight deviation towards the east (on the right-hand side of the figure) in the higher parts of the trees due to the crosswise influence of the breeze.
The 1% coverage limit curve is present on both sides in a position that does not involve the adjacent rows and with an hourglass shape, where its expansion in the lowest part coincides with the lack of vegetation below half a meter in height while proceeding upwards, it is justified by the fact that the trees had fewer leaves in that point.
At the maximum height of our assessments, about six meters, one notes that the coverage only slightly exceeds 1%, confirming the validity of the split dispensing system in the spraying points featured by machine A, designed to reduce the phenomenon of drift.
When it came to losses on the soil, i.e. droplets carried straight to the ground by the air produced by the machine and by liquid dripping from the leaves, even though this latter effect appeared to be extremely limited thanks to the very low volume distributed by this machine, the values in the graph do not exceed 2% coverage in either the inter-row where the machine passed through or in the adjacent rows.

Sprayer C drift and losses on the soil
The graph in figure 9 illustrates the distribution obtained with a 1500 dm³/ha air-carrier sprayer C (atomiser) operating at an average air temperature of 28°C, 58% humidity and 1 m/s wind blowing towards the north-east with a 30° azimuth.

t = 27°C 63% R.H.	wind 0.3 m/s

Figure 10: droplet distribution displayed with the iso-coverage curves, of self-propelled mixed atomiser B operating at 1500 dm³/ha.

It appears evident how random distribution, characteristic of this type of machine, leads to considerable waste which, in this specific case, means over 40% non-coverage at six meters in height.
Although the term is improper, the mist tends to concentrate heavily towards the right, to a much greater extent than the stronger wind blowing when the assessments were made would appear to have been responsible for.
Since it was impossible to direct the air flow, the droplets sprayed towards taller heights probably missed their target as well as reaching several meters above the rows, where the wind was stronger than the value measured at a height of two meters, this owing to the typical trend of the air flow within the limit layer.

When it came to losses on the soil, the degree of coverage was between 5 and 10% in both the treated inter-row and the adjacent rows on both sides, while it exceeded 10% in the successive row on the right and settled almost at 2% in the last inter-row shown in the diagram, again on the right.
The explanation for this could be both fall-out due to the wind blowing towards the right but mostly the dissymmetric distribution provided by atomisers with axial fans, which blow air with a helical motion subsequently affected by the axial component of this motion being deviated by the fixed plate.

By and large however, one should consider that the percentage coverages measured and processed for this last machine operating at 1500 dm³/ha were the result of the impact of droplets in which the active principle was diluted several times more than that of the machine that operated at 150 dm³/ha.
To achieve comparable data and graphs for the two machines from the point of view of dangerousness, not so much of the droplets as the percentage coverages since the comparison was made by means of these latter, the equivalent coverage of the high volume machine had to be established in relation to the dangerousness of the residue.

To achieve this, it was not correct to simply reduce the coverage percentage ten times considering that droplet dilution was ten times that of the low volume machine (note that the dose of active principle used in the tests was the same). This would have been true if the droplets had been the same size in the two cases, i.e. if they had had the same median volume diameter (MVD). In actual fact, the low volume method also featured a size reduction. Thus, in view of the fact that, fluid being equal, this led to an increase in covered surface, the reduction coefficient of the 1500 dm³/ha compared to the 150 was 6.4 considering the two MVD of 203 and 117 μm respectively, values obtained from the data processed by the image analyzer.

Thus, the 40% measured in the upper part had to be reduced by about 6%, while the 10% on the ground became little less than 2, i.e. it was fully demonstrated that the trained jet and, presumably, the electrostatic charge (which provided a 1% coverage) contained drift by almost six times (again with reference to the quantity of active principle).
In the second case, if it was true that sprayer A lost a similar amount of active principle on the soil of the treated inter-row and in the two adjacent inter-rows as sprayer C, it was also true that in the second and third inter-rows on the right, where part of the drift fell to the ground for this latter machine (also structurally dissymmetric as to distribution), there was a total absence of coverage for the trained jet machine and, thus, of active principle.

Sprayer B drift and losses on the soil
Lastly, the diagram in figure 10 illustrates the trend of the iso-coverage curves obtained from use of the 1500 dm³/h mixed atomiser sprayer in climatic conditions featuring a temperature of 27°C, 63% humidity and a 0.3 m/s breeze blowing towards the north-east, with 45° azimuth.

All told, the curves appear to be symmetrical, with the 1% limit curve barely touching the second rows, thus with a fairly contained lateral extension.
Neither does the sprayed liquid appear excessive in the upward direction if compared with that of the previous machine, i.e. it does not exceed 10% at 6 m, corresponding to 1.5% if one considers a 6.8 reduction coefficient in this case in view of the fact that the droplet population with this machine featured a 196 μm MVD.
This meant 50% more active principle in the upward drift than that observed with sprayer A, while it was still better, with a containment factor of 4, than the atomiser. This behaviour, extremely positive in relation to atomiser C although not as good as machine A, was achieved thanks to the better positions of its two distributors, which were supplied independently by two separate centrifugal fans.

On the other hand, losses on the soil were more worrying, with coverages that were very near to 40% in the inter-row along which the machine passed and which, reduced for the purpose of active principle comparison, were almost 6%, i.e. 3 times more than the values of both sprayer A and C.

Conclusion
With regard to distribution dynamics, the low volume trained jet electrostatic charge machine (A) was clearly superior when it came to comparisons amongst the residues left by the three sprayers.
In relation to the mixed atomiser (B) and air-carrier sprayer (C), the upward drift was less than 35 and 85%, respectively.
Losses on the soil along the row where the machine passed through were almost 70% less than machine B and similar to those of machine C for which, however, consistent quantities were observed in the adjacent rows on the right.
This was due to the combined result of it being impossible to correctly direct the air flow and droplets towards the crop, the dissymmetric distribution achieved by this type of machine, which pushes the air with a helical motion, thus deflected in the direction of the propeller (clockwise in this particular case), and the wind, which was actually not very strong.
The wind was also fairly insignificant when the other two machines were tested. However, although this allowed a satisfactory comparison to be made of the machines, it also highlighted the fact that even values of less than 1 m/s cause considerable drift unless the machines are built with new construction criteria, such as those featured by sprayer A.
At the end of an almost entire plant protection campaign in an apply orchard, this machine also proved to be more efficacious than machine B for treatments against aphids and with fungicides while it ensured the same effects in treatments with insecticides.

Bibliography
CESARI A., DAVI’ R., CASTAGNOLI F., FLORI P. (1986) Applicazioni fitoiatriche a basso volume con sistemi di distribuzione di tipo elettrostatico. Atti Giornate Fitopatologiche, 2, 525-534.
CESARI A., FALCHIERI D., SCANNAVINI M., ALVISI G. (1990) Efficacia biologica ed aspetti residuali di applicazioni a basso volume e dosi ridotte di fungicidi. Atti Giornate Fitopatologiche, 3, 371-380.
(*) Research conducted as part of an E.S.A.V. project.
(**) Eng. Friso established the methodology, conducted the field assessments, processed the data in relation to the distribution dynamics and mechanics of the machines, and wrote the text. Prof. De Zanche coordinated the research.

The Electrostatic Martignani Whirlwind B612 shows superior coverage.

Energy Conveyance Service and Telecommunications,
Supply Centre of the Conveyance
Network – Travaux du Mans

128, Avenue Felix Geneslay,
72100 Le Mans – FRANCE
Tel. 43.84.72.33 E.D.F.
R.C. Paris B 552 081 317

=============================================

Person in charge:
Mr MAIRESSE

To the
BRICAUD ESTATE Techno agricultural
570, Rue du Maréchal Foch 44370
V A R A D E S  -  FRANCE
Attn.: Mr. BRICAUD

=============================================

Le Mans, July 6th, 1989

Re: Electrostatic Mist-Blowing

Dear Sirs,

We wish to thank you for making available the equipment for spraying orchards with the electrostatic mist-blowing system.
A range of tests were carried out on our request at the E.D.F. High Voltage laboratory in Renadières (Moret sur Loing) with a view to answering the following questions:

Can the electric field caused by a 400 kV line over the fruit trees affect the efficiency of the electrostatic mist-blower? Is there any danger involved if the conductor cables are directly wetted by the mist-blower?

We would like to mention that the questions derive from the operating principle of the electrostatic mist-blower: charging the chemical droplets with a negative electrical charge, so that when they reach the trees, having an opposite polarity (+) they are attracted by the two faces of the leaves.

Some hundred tests were carried out, reproducing the real field conditions:

electrical field on the ground below a 400 kV line perpendicularly to its lowest point = 5.4 kV/m (1)
at 1.5 m from the ground below a conductor placed 8.5 m from the ground (minimum height and maximum operating temperature of the 400 kV lines).

Horizontal and vertical slot rain gauge; to measure the volumes of chemicals caught during a 10 minutes’ treatment. The rain gauge was connected to the ground and placed at a height of 3 to 5 m over the mist-blower.

At comparable weather conditions (in particular wind speed and direction) the tests showed that:
the electrostatic system is efficient (the quantity of product caught is 30 to 40% higher than with non-electrostatic systems)
the electric field of a 400 kV line does not modify the efficiency of the mist-blower.

As concerns the safety in use of electrostatic mist blowers below 400 kV lines, more tests were carried out and the most unfavourable conditions were chosen (electric field 6.8 kV/m at 1.5 m from the ground, perpendicularly to the lowest point of the conductor instead of 5.4 kV /m below the lines; chemical product with the highest conductivity, maximum spraying rate by the blower, straight wetting of the conductor, mist blower connected to the ground).
The very low current levels through the blower were always below the values that might cause pathological effects as listed in the C.E.I. 479 publication.

(1) Max. value affecting a small surface below the line (500 sq.m. for a length of 500 m).
(2) C.E.I. = International Electro technical Committee

As a conclusion, the presence of a 400 kV line over the orchards does not affect the efficiency of the treatments with electrostatic mist blowers and poses no danger.

Thanking you again for your cooperation, we are

Yours sincerely,

The Le Mans Base Chief
J. P. MAIRESSE

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Efficiency Comparison Table

Planting distance: 3×5 m – Average ground speed during the treatments: 3.5 kph Martignani-KWH Electrostatic Mist Blower used: Mod. Whirlwind B612  1500 l TURBO 2 with ELECTROSTATIC

EDITORS:

Torbjom Leuchovius
Egil 0yjord
Jean-Francois Billot

ORGANIZERS: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
in Cooperation with
Association Francaise pour la Mécanisation en Expérimentation Agricole (AFMEX – The French Branch or IAMFE)
The International Association on Mechanization or Field Experiments (IAMFE)

All rights reserved. With the exception of fair copying, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without written permission of IAMFE.

The organizers do not accept responsibility for the statements made or the opinions expressed by the authors.

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYING RESEARCH AT APPLE PLANTATIONS

Dr. Imre Kalmar – Dr. Uszlò Gulyas – Dr. JòzsefKrizsan – Dr. Ede Petrò College of Mechanical Engineering of Godollo University for Agricultural Sciences H-5400 Mezotur, Petofi tér I., Hungary

Summary

Nowadays, the uses of chemical saving, environment friendly and plant protecting methods are spreading wide in the intensive fruit-gardens. In Hungary, we have tested the application of the MARTIGNANI-KWH system electrostatic drop-tilling spray machine at some apple plantations.

In summary, we found the above-mentioned machine applicable in traditional fruit gardens. Beside the optimum research conditions, the according to figure savings and advantages mentioned by the manufacturer can be probably reached, but there are needs for further testing.

Résumé

De nos jours – dans les vergers intensifs – de plus en plus sont utilisés des procédés antiparasitaires économes du produit chimique, ménagers l’environnement. On a examiné mème dans les plantations de pommes plantées traditionnellement et rarement l’adaptation du pulvérisateur de charge électrostatique des gouttes “MARTIGNANI” système KWH.

On peut constater: la machine éxaminante peut étre utilisée dans les vergers plantés traditionnellement. Dans les conditions d’expérience optimum les économies et des avantages donnés par fabricant peuvent ètre obtenus probablement, mais pour les preuves des mesures supplémentaires sont nécessaires.

Introduction

Today, almost everybody has come to the conclusions that the world’s food-products need cannot be produced without chemical plant protection, even in the near future.

In order to reach the desired biological effect with the plant protecting methods, the spray fluid should be applied onto the plants:

- in due season
- in correct quantity
- at the right place, and
- in appropriate distribution

Spraying is also a biological, chemical, technical and technological problem. The representatives of biological and chemical sciences have been coming up with newer and newer environment sparing chemicals in the market, while there have not been sensational new solutions in the tool-system of getting the fluid to the plants, and in technology for the past few years. A spraying machine renders more than ten times of its value in the spraying process, so the ‘chemical-economical’ sprayers become more valuable.

In Hungary there are a lot of spraying machines, amongst which are the electrostatic drop-fluid spraying machines. The main advantage of this method is that the electrostatic fluid reaches the exact surface it is directed to. This is why a small quantity of chemicals is enough and the expense reduce and environment sparing effect of this is significant. The uses are hindered by the complicated technical solutions, the conditions of operation and maintenance demanding more care, and by the relatively high costs of machines as well. The applied technical solutionsconstructed by the MAR TIGNANI high electrostatic drop-fluid spraying machines means a lot of saving at several areas for the farmers, including the significant chemicals saving.

The manufacturer enlists the following saving and advantages in its catalogue:

- chemical savings: up to 35%

- time and labour needs: 65% favourable
- water savings: 90%
- fuel savings: 40% approx,
- environment: sparing method
- simple machine design
- easy setting
- high level safety of operations
- minimum maintenance need.

The results of examination by several global research institutes and conference materials, as well as the other not mentioned publications, also show the advantages of spraying with this machine, even if not all of the mentioned ones in the brochures.

The evaluation data by the MARTIGNANI company con also serve as references. Out of the nearly 10,000 units of its Low Volume spraying machines sold in ITALY and overseas , more than 2000 pieces are Electrostatic and up till now the testing results have shown that beside the decrease in chemicals utilization economical spraying can be obtained, too.

MARTIGNANI machines have been applied in intensive fruit gardens up till now. Before the selling of these machines in Hungary, we examined them in rare standing fruit-plantations.

MEASUREMENT SETUP

In a given economy and planting culture “close-fitting” machines are used in intensive vineyards and fruit gardens. The aim of our testing was to determine whether the MARTIGNANI-kwh spraying machines are applicable in the domestic fruit gardens and if they have advantages compared to the traditional axial-ventilator machines.

Note: The parameters of spraying and machine setting in the case of the electrostatic and traditional machines were determined by the representatives of the commercial firms.

Fig. I shows the sampling places in the leafy crown and fig. 2 the evaluation of the surface of the examined leafs.

Figure I. The position of sampling places in the leafy crown. Sampling: 3 levels, 4 segments, 50-50 pieces of leaves .

Figure 2. The surface of the examined leaf

Evaluation: front and back side of right and left
side of every leaf. 3-3 visible – field per average

SUMMARY OF THE TESTING RESUL TS

Figures 3 and 4 shows the formation of coverage and unevenness for a traditional and the electrostatic spraying machines respectively.

		Unevenness
	A B C		front side back side
Min. 30%		20 40 Max. 5O %	60 80 100 120 140 CV%

Diagram 3. Formation of coverage and unevenness for the traditional spraying machine.

Work parameters: – doses 1200 dm3/ha – advancing speed: 6,2 km/h -Spray Liquid pressure: 30 bar

		Unevenness
	A B C		front side back side
Min.30 %		20 40 Max.50 %	60 80 100 CV%

Diagram 4. Formation 01 coverage and unevenness for the electrostatic drop-fluid spraying machine.

Work parameters: -doses 400 dm3/ha  -advancing speed: 4.1 km/h – spray liquid pressure: 1.5 bar

CONCLUSIONS

MARTIGNANI electrostatic drop-fluid machines can be used in traditional fruit gardens.

Both the coverage and unevenness by the electrostatic spraying are more favourable than the application of the traditional machines.

The coverage conditions of the front and back side of leaves in the case of the electrostatic drop-fluid can be considered excellent.

The stated advantages by the manufacturer of the electrostatic machine on the basis of the tests can be realized. Even in the case of various research conditions, there will not be any difference from the advantages stated in the brochure.

In summary, we recommend the application of MARTIGNANI-kwh electrostatic drop-fluid spraying machines in the traditional fruit gardens. Optimum research conditions also support the savings and advantages mentioned by the manufacturer.

Materials and methods

1. Characteristics of the crop
The efficiency test was conducted at “Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza” (Experimental Station of Agricultural and Pasture Farming Technology of Mendoza) of the Istituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuria (National Institute of Agricultural and Pasture Farming technology) in the city of Lujan de Cuyo, province of Mendoza in the Argentine Republic (South America).
It involved 14-year old vines of the Chardonnay variety grown in the espalier fashion to a height of 1.80 m, with a 2.50 m space between rows and 1.50 m between the plants.

2. Instruments used for the experiment

a. Berthoud “Air Blast Sprayer” (with droplets sprayed under pressure and conveyed)
- Assembly system: 3P mounted (universal three-point hitch)
-Tank capacity: 400 liters
-Type of pump: with three pistons (membranes)
-Number of nozzles: 10
- Nozzle: in ceramic – diameter of hole: 1.1 mm
-Fan: axial flow lift type or with propeller (diam. 800 mm) with two-way deflector cone

b. Pneumatic system (Mist Blower with conveyed droplets) and optional Electrostatic charge (Martignani mod. B612 Whirlwind)
- Assembly system: 3P mounted (universal three-point hitch)
- Tank capacity: 400 liters
- Type of pump: centrifugal
-Number of nozzles: 10
-Fan: centrifugal with double suction action (diam. 600 mm), 2 metering units each with 6 ball valves for wing type nozzles feeding (wing nozzle  orifice diameter: 4 mm)

3. Amount of pest control product and application doses.
During the test, the product (Mancozeb 80% P.M., a fungicide of known efficiency against mildew) was applied in doses of about 2 kg/ha.
The corresponding concentration was calculated according to the required application volume on the basis of calibration tests.

4. Field test.
The pneumatic system was subjected to 6 tests at different flow rates per unit of cultivation area, ascertaining the variations in relation to use with or without the electrostatic charge.
The treatment with the “sprayer” was conducted in the usual way and with the normally used product flow rates.
A blank test was also conducted.
The test area was divided into adjacent comparative lots.
The experimental lot measuring 825 sq m comprised three crop rows 110 m in length with 6-row side borders and the drift effect was analyzed up to a distance of 10 m (4 nearby rows).

Table

Treatment – Product flow rate
1(N) Pneumatic 209 l/ha
2(NE) Pneumatic-electrostatic 209 l/ha
3(N) Pneumatic 447.76 l/ha
4(NE) Pneumatic-electrostatic 447.76 l/ha
5(N) Pneumatic 652.17 l/ha
6(NE) Pneumatic-electrostatic 652.17 l/ha
7(A) Conventional Spraying 1160 l/ha
8(T) Blank test without pesticide

5. Coverage assessment

5.1 Visual inspection: collectors, consisting of circular pieces of polyethylene (diam. 33 mm), were distributed over the foliage of the plants subjected to each treatment, where they were applied to the upper and lower faces of the leaves.
On average, a total of 60 collectors were applied to the central row of each experimental lot and to 15 of the plants
in the middle sector. Half were applied to the vegetation at the first level of height (at 0.97 m), while the remainder were applied 1.57 m from ground level. 15 collectors were applied at random to the upper faces of the leaves and 15 to the lower faces at each level considered.
Once the treatment had terminated and the droplets had dried, the collectors were removed and examined visually so as to assess the entity and density of the impact or marks, considering two optical fields taken at random on each collector.

5.2 Chemical assessment: the pesticide deposits were examined using the universally known acid hydrolysis and colorimetric method.
A sample of 180 leaves was taken at random from both sides of the central row of each experimental lot and from 15 plants in the middle sector.
A sample of 30 leaves taken at random from each of the 4 rows near each side border after each treatment so as to analyze the side drift of each treatment.

6. Operating conditions of the machines
Machine Ground speed
in kph
Operating
pressure (bar)
Attractive force
(HP)
Pneumatic 4 1.5 45
Sprayer 4 17.22 45

7. Weather conditions
Calibration test

Date: 18 Dec. 1995
Time of day: 9:00 hrs
Temperature °C: 26.5
Humidity: 37
Cloudiness: cloudless sky
Wind: slight breeze

Field test

Date: 19 Dec. 1995
Time of day: 7:30 hrs
Temperature °C: 23.8
Humidity: 28
Cloudiness: cloudless sky
Wind: slight breeze

8. Results obtained (see TAB 1 and 2)
NOTE: the results of this report are preliminary and reserved, in accordance with the conditions established at the INTA EEA Mendoza conference.

TAB 1

Pest control efficiency of pneumatic and
pneumatic+electrostatic systems for vine cultivation Chardonnay variety cultivated with the tall espalier method)

Treatment
Volume
supplied
(l/ha)
Face Level DP
N°
droplets
sq cm
CVa(%) Cvb(%) p.s.c. e(%)
Initial
depos.
ppm
Dose
dep.
ppm/dose
kg/ha
1(N) 209 L L 80.90 940.65 22.18 16.65 4.84
217.49 93.751(N) 209 U L 89.52 720.09 37.36 32.08 4.53
1(N) 209 L U 73.95 774.77 43.87 35.32 3.33
1(N) 209 U U 85.85 720.10 37.55 31.71 4.17
2(N.E) 209 L L 73.70 1143.75 22.24 18.10 4.88
270.79 116.722(N.E) 209 U L 66.70 908.88 22.46 30.78 3.17
2(N.E) 209 L U 64.59 1184.1 25.27 25.08 3.88
2(N.E) 209 U U 64.05 906.53 35.03 29.82 2.92
3(N) 447 L L 76.51 958.43 29.23 15.53 4.41
214.02 92.253(N) 447 U L 66.02 873.38 26.78 28.34 2.99
3(N) 447 L U 79.27 836.48 31.04 36.87 4.13
3(N) 447 U U 75.32 811.65 33.60 37.04 3.62
4(N.E) 447 L L 56.54 1014.45 17.53 35.49 2.55
287.25 123.814(N.E) 447 U L 64.17 977.55 17.72 20.81 3.16
4(N.E) 447 L U 72.00 1112.18 19.24 41.19 4.53
4(N.E) 447 U U 71.18 892.05 19.63 38.10 3.55
5(N) 652 L L 71.63 671.96 27.62 43.31 2.71 26.66
91.20 39.315(N) 652 U L 68.33 726.17 27.98 29.72 2.66 4.00
5(N) 652 L U 85.96 703.27 29.61 41.21 4.08 53.33
5(N) 652 U U 78.89 502.34 30.18 35.02 2.45 6.66
6(N.E) 652 L L 72.19 753.75 16.34 27.91 3.08 60.00
110.27 47.536(N.E) 652 U L 82.06 647.20 30.94 35.52 3.42 26.66
6(N.E) 652 L U 84.04 670.10 28.94 34.20 3.72 4.66
6(N.E) 652 U U 69.06 584.49 32.72 37.02 2.12 20.00
7(A) 1160 L L 152.37 366.36 36.39 68.42 6.68 46.00
143.27 61.757(A) 1160 U L 114.96 538.94 37.51 60.50 5.59 46.00
7(A) 1160 L U 163.64 467.91 26.05 67.69 9.84 40.00
7(A) 1160 U U 182.51 361.99 40.18 51.34 9.47 63.00
8(T) ———0.00 0

TAB 2
“Side drift assessment (pesticide deposited in ppm = parts per million)”

Row (distance in m)
Treatments 1(2.50) 2(5) 3(7.50) 4(10)
1(N) 185.95 75.87 54.84 75.87
2(NE) 262.63 51.75 40.62 43.71
3(N) 186.57 40.62 23.92 61.02
4(NE) 186.57 59.79 52.37 68.45
5(N) 120.39 64.12 46.8 60.4
6(NE) 132.76 53.31 32.59 40.62
7(A) 190.28 94.42 25.25 38.14

Key to tables:

(N) = treatment with pneumatic system (conveyed droplets)
(N.E.) = treatment with pneumatic system and electrostatic system (conveyed droplets with electrostatic charge)
(A) = treatment with conventional spraying system (sprayed and conveyed droplets)
(T) = blank test, treatment without pesticide
CVa% = coefficient of variability of the diameter of the impacts
CVb% = coefficient of variability of the number of impacts
p.s.c. = percentage of surface covered by the impacts
e% = percentage of runoff, represents the percentage of collectors with drips
L = Lower
U = Upper

Effect of the chemical mixture’s application volume on the efficiency of the pest control treatment (Vine cultivation with the tall espalier method, Chardonnay cv.)

Figure 2 Density of the sprayed droplets

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)

Figure 3 Initial pesticide deposit

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)

Figure 4 Efficiency ratio

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)
Deposited/quantity

Figure 5 Sprayed product runoff

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)

<< FIELD TEST >>
PROJET
FINAL REPORT
April 2002

I.C.E. – Délégation Commerciale d’Italie – Tunis
Tél : 00216 / 71940.522 / 71940451 / 71940.458 – Fax : 00216 / 71940.464 / 71940.460
e-mail : tunisi.tunisi@ice.it – site web tunis : http//www.ice.it/estero2/tunisi/default2.htm

SEMINAR SCHEDULE HOTEL HILTON – Tuesday 16 April 2002

9 a.m.: Participants welcomed and registered.

9.30 a.m.: Opening speech by Mr. Alberto CATARCI, Director of the Foreign Trade Institute.
9.45 a.m.: Welcoming speech by the Trade Councillor of the Italian Embassy in Tunis, Mr. Marco
VILLANI.
10 a.m.: Presentation of the project by Mrs. Mirella FINETTI of the External Centre of the
Chambers of Commerce of the Regione Emilia Romagna department.

10.15 a.m.: Main actions of the project by Mr. Elies HAMZA of I.N.A.T.
10.30 a.m.: Mechanization in tree culture by Mr. M. BEN MIMOUN of I.N.A.T.
11 a.m.: First-hand knowledge and affirmations of a producer, Mr. M. MECHICHI.
11.30 a.m.: Coffee break.
11.45 a.m.: Orchard cultivation by Mr. Elies HAMZA of I.N.A.T.
12.15 p.m.: Mechanization in olive growing practices by Mr. H. BEN TAHAR of the Olive
growing Institute.
12.45 p.m.: Mechanization of the oases by Mr. BCHINI of INRAT.
1.15 p.m.: Debate

THE ACTION OF ELECTROSTATIC MIST-BLOWING

I / Introduction

In the majority of pesticide applications, product distribution and its uniformity of coverage are bound to the efficiency of the treatment operation. Thus different methods have been used to evaluate the degree of dusting and the amount of product deposited.
The equipment used for tree culture includes: the “sprinkler”, the “spraying bar”, the “atomizer” and the “mist blower”. The choice of one of these methods depends on certain parameters: the cost of the investment in materials, the structure and size of the farm and the efficacy of the material itself.

At the present time, the most efficient technique is pneumatic mist blowing
whereby a flow of liquid at low speed and low pressure is brought into contact
with a high-speed air flow (>80 m/s). Contact of the air with the liquid causes
the mixture to micronize into droplets. The droplets will become more
homgeneous and their diameter smaller as the air speed becomes faster and
the amount of liquid that passes becomes less. Fine and homogeneous
spraying allows the area covered to be sensibly increased while reducing the
volume of mixture used (from 100 to 200 l/ha) in relation to pressurized
atomizing of the liquid which uses consistent volumes (from 500 to 1500
l/ha).
Pneumatic mist blowing can be equipped with a device for electrostatically
charging the droplets. The droplets are attracted towards the vegetation by
the electrostatic fields that form between the plants, which are optimum
conductors (sap, mineral salts, humidity, etc.) and chemical vapour, carriers
of an electrostatic charge.
Our tests were conducted to compare the action of electrostatic mist blowing
with that of a classic pneumatic mist blowing process, beginning with the
degree to which the droplets of mixture cover the leaves and using the image
analysis method.

II / Materials and methods

Two pneumatic mist blowers, a classic mist blower and an electrostatic mist
blower were tested in an apple tree orchard (fig. 1).
The test conditions were: wind speed 2 m/s, 40% relative humidity and an
ambient temperature of 24°.
The tests were conducted using pieces of water-sensitive paper (2.54 x 2.54
sq.cm) which turned blue when struck by the water droplets, thus giving rise
to the relative coverage rate. The pieces of paper were affixed to the two Tunisia – field test project – final report
sides of the leaves and were then pointed towards the north, south, east,
west and center of the trees.
After the implements had passed and the pieces of water-sensitive paper had
been wetted, they were collected and digitized by means of an A4 colour
scanner whose resolution setting was 600 dpi.
The images were digitized in the red channel at 256 levels of grey. Each pixel
was a square measuring 42 m m each side. The smallest droplet mark
identified measured 50 m m which, using a distribution factor of 2,
corresponded to droplets 25 m m in diameter.

Fig. 1 – Electrostatic mist blowing
Double-suction centrifugal fan
1.5 bar l/h calibrating device with
regulating valves to adapt the jet
to the shape of the tree
Electrostatic diffuser unit

Tunisia – field test project – final report

Fig. 2 : Positions of the pieces of water-sensitive paper on the trees Fig. 2 : Positions of the pieces of water-sensitive paper on the trees
III / Results

A four square centimeter area of digitized image was treated. It was filtered
to increase the contrast between the droplets and the background. Selection
was limited to a level of grey so as to obtain an image where the pixels were
black or white, depending on whether their level of grey was above or below
the established threshold. The droplets of the original image were thus
isolated on a white background. Using this image, the “Image Tool” logic was
able to identify objects or droplet marks.

The coverage rate results (Fig. 3) show that electrostatic mist blowing
obtained higher coverage rates than the classic pneumatic mist blowing in all
cases. An analysis of the variant of the two treatments showed that
electrostatic mist blowing was more homogeneous than classic pneumatic
mist blowing.

Tunisia – field test project – final report

Coverage rate %

An analysis of the pieces of water-sensitive paper positioned on the trees
and on the ground showed that unlike the classic mist blowing process, the
pieces of paper failed to turn blue in the case of electrostatic mist blowing.
This confirmed electrostatic mist blowing’s total absence of loss through
drifting and flowing.

Fig. 3 : Histogram of the rate of coverage obtained from the two mist blowing
processes
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1 2 3 totale
Mist blowing Electrostatic
Tunisia – field test project – final report

ACQUISITION OF THE IMAGE FOLDER

The pieces of water-sensitive paper are digitized by means of a scanner.
The “images” folders are processed by an “Image Tool” image analysing software.
The image is filtered to increase the contrast between the drops and background.
The threshold of the image is established at a fixed level of grey so as to binarize it.
The drop marks are identified and the elongation, area and coverage rate parameters calculated.

Up stream , the woods extend up to 900m above sea level on the Pizzorne sandstone rock. Upstream is the vast plain of Capannori.

We tread the Tuscan land and find ourselves at number 7 di Valgiano street in Valgiano, in the district of Lucca.

Dr. Petrilli tells us that the first meeting with Martignani company was favoured in 1997 from the purchase of a used Martignani-KWH Mist Blower of the Whirlwind B612 600 l trailer version.

Since then, other meetings have taken place leading the Valgiano estate to equip itself, in the following years, with both a trailer and 3P Mounted model .

The Valgiano estate is an organic farm which adopts biodynamic agricultural systems.

Its vineyards lie on a terrace of pebbles and clay in Alberese. The Sangiovese is preferably cultivated along the crest of Alberese due to the soil which allows it to maintain aromaticity as well as a good structure.On the clayey surface Merlot is cultivated due to its ability to maintain delicacy and elegance even on clay; and, on the sandy pebbles of sandstone, only Syrah can give structure as well as fragrance.

All the treatments are carried out on alternate rows (every two rows) and state volumes/ha, during the season, from 100 to 200 l/ha for both fungicide and insecticide treatments.

The entire vineyard surface is covered in about 2 days utilizing both the Mist Blowers, considering that the vineyards are divided into several distant plots and in some cases with considerable slopes.

The Martignani Mist Blowers lend themselves very well to the treatments of the plant as it is indispensable to offer an excellent coverage of the vegetation even in the periods of highest growth in order to guarantee the maximum efficiency of the operation.

Dr. Petrilli tells us lastly that amongst the numerous advantages noted in the last 10 years of use, besides minimal maintenance and assistance, it was possible to ascertain great affordability even during years of adverse weather conditions, thus arriving at harvest with a healthy product, without disease and residual chemicals.

We, ourselves add the fact that we have found traces of the Valgiano Estate in several virtual places, and not only on paper.

• This Book Will Change Your Life by Benrik (Paperback – Oct 28, 2003)
• The Global Encyclopedia of Wine, Updated Edition (includes CD-ROM) by Peter Forrestal (Hardcover – Oct 15, 2001)
• Anthony Dias Blue’s Pocket Guide to Wine 2006 (Anthony Dias Blue’s Guides) by Anthony Dias Blue (Paperback – Sep 20, 2005)
• Central Italy: The Collected Traveler: Tuscany and Umbria by Barrie Kerper (Paperback – Sep 26, 2000)
• Zingerman’s Guide to Good Eating: How to Choose the Best Bread, Cheeses, Olive Oil, Pasta, Chocolate, and Much More by Ari Weinzweig (Hardcover – Nov 14, 2003)
• Wine Encyclopedia by Catherine Fallis, James Lawther, Maureen Ashley, and Patrick Farrell (Paperback – Oct 2002)

As for the Internet, only the search engine Googlecertifies and lists the presence of 10,400 pages of its index which deal with the Valgiano estate.

It gives us pleasure to end this brief article with the Valgiano estate’s 2003 chart, taken from an online site ,which is a final explanatory summary.

Vine: Sangiovese 60%, Syrah 20%, Merlot 20%
Denomination: Tenuta di Valgiano
Colour: red
Fragrance: gives an elegant and fine aroma to the nose. Fragrant aromas of mature fruit, hints of spice and minerals and an Intense and persistent bouquet.

Taste: a catchy taste on the palatecombined with a pleasant fruity sweetness. The structure develops with a deep texture of soft, mature tannins which ensure the duration of a delicious and pleasurable after taste.

The facts:
As is customary before expressing opinions and/or views, we wanted to gather some information first. We therefore visited the web site of the Fattoria di Piazzano – Empoli (Province of Florence) Tuscany – Italy (http://www.fattoriadipiazzano.it/?Lingua=EN ) to get some ideas.

What we were struck, and pleasurably unnerved by, the most were several individual passages in the reading of the text which we found on the site.

The sensation that we felt can be summarized in saying that the Bettarini’s seem to be stating the land and the vineyards have taken on a certain form of animal life and are therefore not to be considered as simple “objects” incapable of communicating, but as living creatures with which to engage in pleasurable dialogues, telling stories and exchanging feelings and memories, possibly of the decision to permanently settle in that place when the hunt or belligerence came to an end.

It tells of skeletons and of farms, of paleolithics and of centuriation but also of respect with all that surrounds us making us appreciate the beautiful things in life. Fantastic!

And how can the philosophy go unnoticed ?  Oh such Epicurus, despite the memory having liberated space to hold other information, it brings many “voluptuous” considerations and perceptions to our senses. Well we are in Tuscany Chianti area and so we feel it unwittingly. Re-opening our eyes….

….The Fattoria di Piazzano is a wine farm owned by Mr. Rolando Bettarini and Ilaria & C.

Situated in the hills overlooking the town of Empoli, it is composed of about 64 hectares, 33 of which is invested in vineyards, 6 of these being olive tree groves and the rest occupied by woodland and rural and civil buildings.

Mr. Bettarini looks after both the technical management of the vineyards and that of the wine in the cellars. He was introduced to the technology of the Martignani company during the EIMA Ag Show (www.eima.it ) in Bologna in the year 2000 and in the following season purchased the first 2/two  “Martignani-KWH” Whirlwind B612 (1000 l capacity each) Low Volume Mist Blowers currently used in the farm.

For phytopathologic protection Mr. Bettarini has always instructed his collaborators to treat in “alternate rows”, that is to pass along a row with the tractor pull Mist Blower, skip the following row, and re-enter into the next.

The volumes applied during the treatments are of about 90 l/ha (regardless of the type of treatment: (anti mildew, anti-oidium , etc..) due to the fact that, with a single refill, that is 1000 liter, the operator covered about 10,5 ha at a speed of 5.5 km/h and managed to complete the treatment in 2.5/3 days. This is thought to be an excellent productive result considering the particular situation of the majority of  Tuscan companies divided in to several distant plots of land with various difficulties in manoeuvring at the ends of the rows caused by considerable slopes.

While using the two Martignani Mist Blowers simultaneously, the times reduced dramatically by almost half (one and a half days).

Mr. Bettarini was therefore able to notice that, thanks to the use of the Martignani-KWH pneumatic Mist Blowers, the time lost in the refills and in transfers was visibly reduced, but the greatest advantage was that of obtaining a greater efficiency and timing of the phytopathologic treatments, which is a very important characteristic nowadays considering the increase in today’s meteorologically unpredictable and adverse seasons.

It is important to note that in the phytoiatric management of the vineyard, Mr. Bettarini preserves the same anti-parasitical mixture volumes (90 l/ha) for both fungicide and insecticide treatments.
Once again Tuscany, once again a centre!

Materials and methods

1. Characteristics of the crop
The efficiency test was conducted at “Estacion
Experimental Agropecuaria Mendoza” (Experimental
Station of Agricultural and Pasture Farming Technology of
Mendoza) of the Istituto Nacional de Tecnologia
Agropecuria (National Institute of Agricultural and Pasture
Farming technology) in the city of Lujan de Cuyo, province
of Mendoza in the Argentine Republic (South America). It
involved 14-year old vines of the Chardonnay variety
grown in the espalier fashion to a height of 1.80 m, with a
2.50 m space between rows and 1.50 m between the
plants.

2. Instruments used for the experiment
a. Berthoud “Air Blast Sprayer” (with droplets sprayed
under pressure and conveyed)
- Assembly system: 3P mounted (universal three-point
hitch)
-Tank capacity: 400 liters
-Type of pump: with three pistons (membranes)
-Number of nozzles: 10
- Nozzle: in ceramic – diameter of hole: 1.1 mm
-Fan: axial flow lift type or with propeller (diam. 800 mm)
with two-way deflector cone
b. Pneumatic system (Mist Blower with conveyed droplets)
and optional Electrostatic charge (Martignani mod. B612
Whirlwind)
- Assembly system: 3P mounted (universal three-point
hitch)
-Tank capacity: 400 liters
- Type of pump: centrifugal
-Number of nozzles: 10
-Fan: centrifugal with double suction action (diam. 600
mm), 2 metering units each with 6 ball valves for wing type nozzles feeding (wing nozzle orifice diameter: 4 mm)

3. Amount of pest control product and application doses
During the test, the product (Mancozeb 80% P.M., a
fungicide of known efficiency against mildew) was applied
in doses of about 2 kg/ha. The corresponding
concentration was calculated according to the required
application volume on the basis of calibration tests.

4. Field test
The pneumatic system was subjected to 6 tests at
different flow rates per unit of cultivation area, ascertaining
the variations in relation to use with or without the
electrostatic charge. The treatment with the “sprayer” was
conducted in the usual way and with the normally used
product flow rates. A blank test was also conducted. The
test area was divided into adjacent comparative lots. The
experimental lot measuring 825 sq m comprised three
crop rows 110 m in length with 6-row side borders and the
drift effect was analyzed up to a distance of 10 m (4
nearby rows).

Table

Treatment   Product flow rate
1(N) Pneumatic 209 l/ha
2(NE) Pneumatic-electrostatic 209 l/ha
3(N) Pneumatic 447.76 l/ha
4(NE) Pneumatic-electrostatic 447.76 l/ha
5(N) Pneumatic 652.17 l/ha
6(NE) Pneumatic-electrostatic 652.17 l/ha
7(A) Conventional Spraying 1160 l/ha
8(T) Blank test without pesticide

5. Coverage assessment
5.1 Visual inspection: collectors, consisting of circular
pieces of polyethylene (diam. 33 mm), were distributed
over the foliage of the plants subjected to each treatment,
where they were applied to the upper and lower faces of
the leaves.
On average, a total of 60 collectors were applied to the
central row of each experimental lot and to 15 of the plants
in the middle sector. Half were applied to the vegetation at
the first level of height (at 0.97 m), while the remainder
were applied 1.57 m from ground level. 15 collectors were

applied at random to the upper faces of the leaves and 15
to the lower faces at each level considered.
Once the treatment had terminated and the droplets had
dried, the collectors were removed and examined visually
so as to assess the entity and density of the impact or
marks, considering two optical fields taken at random on
each collector.

5.2 Chemical assessment: the pesticide deposits were
examined using the universally known acid hydrolysis and
colorimetric method.
A sample of 180 leaves was taken at random from both
sides of the central row of each experimental lot and from
15 plants in the middle sector.
A sample of 30 leaves taken at random from each of the 4
rows near each side border after each treatment so as to
analyze the side drift of each treatment.

6. Operating conditions of the machines
Machine Ground speed
in kph
Operating
pressure (bar)
Attractive force
(HP)
Pneumatic 4 1.5 45
Sprayer 4 17.22 45

7. Weather conditions
Calibration test

Date: 18 Dec. 1995
Time of day: 9:00 hrs
Temperature °C: 26.5
Humidity: 37
Cloudiness: cloudless sky
Wind: slight breeze

Field test

Date: 19 Dec. 1995
Time of day: 7:30 hrs
Temperature °C: 23.8
Humidity: 28
Cloudiness: cloudless sky
Wind: slight breeze

8. Results obtained (see TAB 1 and 2)
NOTE: the results of this report are preliminary and
reserved, in accordance with the conditions established at
the INTA EEA Mendoza conference.

TAB 1

Pest control efficiency of pneumatic and
pneumatic+electrostatic systems for vine cultivation
(Chardonnay variety cultivated with the tall espalier
method)

Treatment
Volume
supplied
(l/ha)
Face Level DP
N°
droplets
sq cm
CVa(%) Cvb(%) p.s.c. e(%)
Initial
depos.
ppm
Dose
dep.
ppm/dose
kg/ha
1(N) 209 L L 80.90 940.65 22.18 16.65 4.84  
217.49 93.751(N) 209 U L 89.52 720.09 37.36 32.08 4.53  
1(N) 209 L U 73.95 774.77 43.87 35.32 3.33  
1(N) 209 U U 85.85 720.10 37.55 31.71 4.17  
2(N.E) 209 L L 73.70 1143.75 22.24 18.10 4.88  
270.79 116.722(N.E) 209 U L 66.70 908.88 22.46 30.78 3.17  
2(N.E) 209 L U 64.59 1184.1 25.27 25.08 3.88  
2(N.E) 209 U U 64.05 906.53 35.03 29.82 2.92  
3(N) 447 L L 76.51 958.43 29.23 15.53 4.41  
214.02 92.253(N) 447 U L 66.02 873.38 26.78 28.34 2.99  
3(N) 447 L U 79.27 836.48 31.04 36.87 4.13  
3(N) 447 U U 75.32 811.65 33.60 37.04 3.62  
4(N.E) 447 L L 56.54 1014.45 17.53 35.49 2.55  
287.25 123.814(N.E) 447 U L 64.17 977.55 17.72 20.81 3.16  
4(N.E) 447 L U 72.00 1112.18 19.24 41.19 4.53  
4(N.E) 447 U U 71.18 892.05 19.63 38.10 3.55  
5(N) 652 L L 71.63 671.96 27.62 43.31 2.71 26.66
91.20 39.315(N) 652 U L 68.33 726.17 27.98 29.72 2.66 4.00
5(N) 652 L U 85.96 703.27 29.61 41.21 4.08 53.33
5(N) 652 U U 78.89 502.34 30.18 35.02 2.45 6.66
6(N.E) 652 L L 72.19 753.75 16.34 27.91 3.08 60.00
110.27 47.536(N.E) 652 U L 82.06 647.20 30.94 35.52 3.42 26.66
6(N.E) 652 L U 84.04 670.10 28.94 34.20 3.72 4.66
6(N.E) 652 U U 69.06 584.49 32.72 37.02 2.12 20.00
7(A) 1160 L L 152.37 366.36 36.39 68.42 6.68 46.00
143.27 61.757(A) 1160 U L 114.96 538.94 37.51 60.50 5.59 46.00
7(A) 1160 L U 163.64 467.91 26.05 67.69 9.84 40.00
7(A) 1160 U U 182.51 361.99 40.18 51.34 9.47 63.00
8(T) ———0.00 0

TAB 2

“Side drift assessment (pesticide deposited in ppm = parts
per million)”

Row (distance in m)
Treatments 1(2.50) 2(5) 3(7.50) 4(10)
1(N) 185.95 75.87 54.84 75.87
2(NE) 262.63 51.75 40.62 43.71
3(N) 186.57 40.62 23.92 61.02
4(NE) 186.57 59.79 52.37 68.45
5(N) 120.39 64.12 46.8 60.4
6(NE) 132.76 53.31 32.59 40.62
7(A) 190.28 94.42 25.25 38.14

Key to tables:

(N) = treatment with pneumatic system (conveyed droplets)
(N.E.) = treatment with pneumatic system and electrostatic system (conveyed droplets with
electrostatic charge)
(A) = treatment with conventional spraying system (sprayed and conveyed droplets)
(T) = blank test, treatment without pesticide
CVa% = coefficient of variability of the diameter of the impacts
CVb% = coefficient of variability of the number of impacts
p.s.c. = percentage of surface covered by the impacts
e% = percentage of runoff, represents the percentage of collectors with drips
L = Lower
U = Upper

Effect of the chemical mixture’s application volume on the efficiency of
the pest control treatment (Vine cultivation with the tall espalier
method, Chardonnay cv.)

Figure 2 Density of the sprayed droplets

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)

Figure 3 Initial pesticide deposit

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)

Figure 4 Efficiency ratio

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)
Deposited/quantity

Figure 5 Sprayed product runoff

Volume of the chemical mixture used (l/ha)

The Randi Farms is situated in the municipality of Fusignano (Ravenna) and is managed by Dr. Massimo Randi with the collaboration of his brother Denis and father Luigi.

The vocation of the farm is decidedly viticultural, being about 25 hectares of vineyards, although other cultivation such as peach trees, wheat and beetrootin smaller quantities are not left out.

The technical approach of “Martignani” Electrostatic-Mist Blowers was integrated some time ago following a professional conference between Dr. Randi and Dr. Bellettini, the latter presently being an agricultural technician (Agronomist) and manager of the Martignani srl Italian counting house.

The contactwas concretised in the spring of 2005 with the purchase of the Mod. Whirlwind B-612 TURBO 2 Pneumatic Mist Bower with Electrostatic charged droplets.

At first the insecticide treatments were carried out by Luigi. It was then Dr. Massimo who dealt with thephytosanitary management of the family vineyards, personally carrying out the defence operations on board a tractor..

We have now come to the fourth season using the Martignani Mist Blower and Dr. Massimo tells us about the convenience of having invested in this equipment and how we have reached the optimization of the productive processes.

At the speed of 8,3 Km/h with a volume/ha of 200 litres, 7,5 ha are treatedin the morning and7,5 ha in the afternoon while the remaining hectares are completed the following day.

Previously, with a conventional atomizer (or Air Blast Sprayer) distributing 600 litres/ha, several refuelling and a total of 4-5 days of time were required.

Only some treatments , such as those against moth infestations of the grape-vines, are carried out at a higher volume (400 l/ha), while the remaining, and larger part, of the field is treated at 200 l/ha.

In these 4 seasons,the Randi family has certainly optimized the technical management of the vineyard in the best possible way, saving tons of water, hours of manpower and above all 20% of chemical product (or active ingredient) used for both contact and systemic chemicals, in every treatment.

Above all, they have reduced the phytosanitary defence operations to only 2 days, enabling them to concentrate and aim the remaining hours of manpower at other activity within the company.

Finally, it gives us great pleasure to report that, for some years, the Randi company has been part of the Bagnacavallo consortium which is the producer and distributor of the well known “Burson” (http://www.vinography.com/archives/2004/07/2000_burson_rosso_ravenna_cons.html ) wine obtained from “Longanesi” grapes.

For further information on the Randi company, visit www.randivini.it and/or send an email to info@randivini.it

Visit us at the Hall 9 – Stand H27/G22

Patented Low Volume Electrostatic Mist Blowers and Sprayers for the Agricultural Crops.