Performance Evaluation of Different Spraying Systems in Mango orchard

Abstract

Three different spraying systems namely, tractor operated aero blast sprayer, power knapsack sprayer and manually operated rocker sprayer were evaluated in laboratory and in a mango orchard to study their performance in terms of size Of droplets and their distribution, penetration capability of spray droplets into the canopy, application rate, field capacity, vertical reach of spray, man-power requirement, fuel consumption and cost of operation. The tractor operated aero blast sprayer was found to produce smallest droplet size (254 µ) with better penetration of spray droplets into the canopy, highest field capacity (1.54 ha/hr) with lowest man-power requirement (1.95 man-hr/ha). The maximum height of reach of the spray of 6.70 m from this sprayer was also sufficient to cover the full height of mango trees. Though the cost of operation of aero blast sprayer (Rs. 197.19/ha) was much higher than that of manual rocker sprayer (Rs. 42.26/ha), the former could be recommended for use in large and small-scale medium height orchards on· individual ownership or custom-hire basis in view of its better performance.