Biological effectiveness of electrostatically charged rotary atomisers.

Abstract

SUMMARY Electrostatically charged rotary atomisers deposited greater amounts of pesticides on wheat plants than did a conventional hydraulic sprayer and improved the effectiveness of pirimicarb against aphids, benomyl against eyespot, and dimethoate against wheat bulb fly. Although deposits of triadimefon on barley plants were increased (and soil residues decreased) by the use of the electrostatic sprayer, mildew control was about equivalent to that obtained with the hydraulic sprayer. Similar amounts of herbicide were deposited, and similar biological effects obtained, when electrostatic or hydraulic sprayers were used to control Amsinckia intermedia in winter barley.