Best Spraying practice and technique
Crop protection involves employment of biological, chemical, and other measures to protect crops from diseases, pests, weeds, or control their harmful effects, and check on their ecological equilibrium.
When to spray crops?
Farmers should evaluate the need for crop protection measures and determine if the necessary threshold has been reached. Those with no agronomic knowledge should take such decisions after consultation with specialist. Economic thresholds of damage by harmful organisms needs consideration.
Pesticides should only be used when the economic threshold is reached.
Good spraying practice
pesticides pose danger to both humans and nature depending a lot on their chemical and physical characteristics. One should avoid using those pesticides that are very toxic, persistent and harmful for aquatic ,fauna and beneficial insects.Avoid unregistered pesticides. More important than pesticides is their application by way of spraying. Even the best and the safest agrochemicals applied inappropriately can be harmful to human and the environment. Chemical sprays can fall on soil or carried away by air masses to unwanted areas, evaporated into the air or water bodies. Quality of spraying is therefore an important index in agricultural good spraying practices.
Pan agric international has adopted “Good spraying practices” as part of their philosophy in its little contribution to saving our environment from climate change and green house effects through production of high quality professional sprayers, vigorously tested and followed by other regular tests and certification while in use in order guarantee their efficiency. We ensure nozzles of a sprayer are of equal discharge and well regulated to spray with precision.
Furthermore even application, penetration and coverage of pesticides falls on target areas and no double-spraying or non-sprayed bands.
The quality of spray is determined by the spray equipment,it’s preparation for the operation and the operator skills
Calibration
The sprayer should be checked and calibrated before season: Parameters to check are;
1. Nozzles should be of equal discharge.
2. Optimal boom height above crop for easy coverage and distribution, when spray patterns overlap and when spray patterns do not overlap
3. Application rate – check the amount of spray solution in a given unit area before starting the actual operation.
4. Speed – the amount of prepared solution will accurately cover the area under consideration only when the operator speed is correct.
End of spraying
Spray equipment should be washed after work. Washing water can be sprayed on the same crops or directed to a soak pit away from water bodies.
Safety
Use personal safety precautions and follow basic rules of hygiene during and after operations.
Always wear personal protective clothing (PPE) while spraying.
Use only correct, calibrated and checked spray equipment prior to operation.