ABSTRACT Droplet size is one of the most important factors that affect spray deposition and weed control through the use of herbicides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the droplet size on the spray deposition and control of Euphorbia heterophylla and Urochloa ruziziensis by using glyphosate. The treatments included spraying glyphosate with fine, medium, coarse, very coarse, and ultra-coarse droplet sizes to determine the deposition, uniformity of distribution, visual control, and dry weight reduction (DWR). The treatments were compared with the values of the dose required to achieve 50% DWR or 50% visual control (C50) at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after herbicide application. Fine and medium droplet sizes afforded high deposition values and low distribution uniformities in E. heterophylla . Fine and medium droplet sizes yielded the lowest C50 on visual control and DWR in E. heterophylla, respectively. The droplet size did not affect the spray deposition on U. ruziziensis plants; however, the larger droplets had less uniformity of distribution. In U. ruziziensis plants, spraying glyphosate with coarse and medium droplet sizes yielded the lowest values of C50 to visual control and DWR, respectively.

ABSTRACT Agricultural spray adjuvants (ASA) are widely used in pesticide applications to enhance the performance of pesticides. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of ASA on static surface tension (SST) and foliar spray retention on coffee leaves. The SST of ASA at different concentrations was determined by the drop weight method. Spray retention on adaxial and abaxial coffee leaf surfaces was performed using a micro-sprayer at solution concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% v v−1. The ASA assessed were: polyether-polymethylsiloxane-copolymer (PPC); Nonylphenol ethoxylate; nonyl polyethylene glycol ether; mineral oil; nonylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol; carboxyl copolymer of styrene and butadiene; primary aliphatic oxyalkylated alcohol plus carboxyl copolymer of styrene and butadiene; and soyal phospholipids and propionic acid. All ASA reduced the SST of the aqueous solutions. PPC provided the best performance in decreasing SST, reaching values below 20 mN m−1 at a concentration of 0.05% v v−1. Spray retention on leaves was influenced by adjuvant type as well as concentration. A very strong positive correlation between SST and spray retention on coffee leaves was observed. Decreasing the SST of the solution provided a reduction of spray retention when spraying was performed until run-off point.

ABSTRACT: Accurate application of pesticides is difficult for crops with dense leaves, such as soybean crops. To improve spray deposits on the lower leaves of soybean plants, the aim of this study is to build a canopy opener (CO) from a previously developed prototype and to assess its practical application and efficiency on soybean crops. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the amount of spray deposits on the top and the lower leaves using a Brilliant Blue dye. The influence of the CO device on the number of flowers knocked down during spraying was also investigated. The data showed that the use of the CO attached to the spray boom enabled more spray deposit on the lower leaves and less spray depositson the upper leaves compared with conventional spraying. The CO device did not influence the falling of flowers or the damage to the soybean plants. The construction of the CO device proved to be a feasible alternative, which could be used primarily by small-scale soybean producers, with the goal of obtaining larger spray deposits on the lower leaves of soybean plants.

A eficiência do controle químico da ferrugem-asiática da soja (FAS), além de outros fatores, está associada ao uso da técnica de aplicação de fungicida mais adequada. O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar tecnologias de aplicação sobre os depósitos da pulverização e controle da FAS nos anos agrícolas de 2009-2010 e 2010-2011. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, e os tratamentos distribuídos no esquema fatorial 3x2 (três taxas de aplicação: 60; 110 e 160 L ha-1 com e sem adição de surfactante siliconado) sobre os depósitos da pulverização, usando como marcador o corante Azul Brilhante, em quatro repetições (Experimento 1). Para avaliação da severidade da doença, peso de mil grãos (PMG) e produtividade, foi adotado o mesmo delineamento do primeiro experimento, com acréscimo de uma testemunha (3x2+1), utilizando a mistura fungicida epoxiconazole associado com azoxistrobina, com quatro repetições (Experimento 2). As taxas de aplicação e o uso do surfactante não influenciaram os níveis dos depósitos da pulverização nas folhas das partes mediana e inferior da planta. Pulverização com a mistura fungicida na taxa de 160 L ha-1proporcionou maior controle da FAS e maior produtividade no ano agrícola de 2010-2011. O controle químico com fungicida, na taxa de aplicação adequada ao estádio de desenvolvimento da planta, torna-se indispensável para a garantia da produtividade na cultura da soja.

Chemical control efficiency of Asian soybean rust (ASR), besides other factors, is associated with an appropriate fungicide application technique. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different application technologies on spray deposition and ASR control in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 crop seasons. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with four replications in a 3x2 factorial scheme. Three application rates were tested (60, 110 and 160 L ha-1)with and without silicone surfactant addition using a Brilliant Blue dye tracer in spray solution to analyze deposition (Experiment 1). For disease severity, thousand grain weight (TGW) and yield were evaluated on the same experimental design as used in Experiment 1 plus a control (3x2+1). It was used the fungicide mixture of azoxystrobin and epoxiconazol in four replications against ASR (Experiment 2). Application rates and surfactant use did not affect spray deposit levels on middle and bottom plant parts. The fungicide mixture at 160 L ha-1 was more effective for disease control and showed a greater yield in the 2010-2011 crop season. Chemical control with fungicides and application rates proper to the plant growing stage become essential to ensure a good soybean yield.