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Monitoring and Modeling Aerial Spray Applications for Pest Eradication Operations
Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org
Citation: Paper number 031092, 2003 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.18436)Authors: B. Richardson, J.R. Moore, M.O. Kimberley, M. Haslett
Keywords: Aerial application, pesticides, simulation model, spray modeling, GIS, SpraySafe Manager
An analysis is presented of spray monitoring data collected during aerial application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki in an attempt to eradicate painted apple moth (PAM) (Teia anartoides Walker) from Auckland, New Zealand. A database was compiled that included measurements of spray droplet density, weather conditions, flight lines from the aircraft global positioning systems, and field bioassay data. SpraySafe Manager (SSM), a GIS-based aerial spray application simulation model was used to calculate predicted deposition across the spray area. Data from GPS systems and spray computers provided information on the consistency of flying and spraying parameters (e.g. flying speed, release height, spray flow rate). Using cards to monitor spray deposition provided a measure of droplet density, a check on droplet size, and an index of biological efficacy. Droplet density data were variable and had a skewed distribution. However, the distribution was approximately normalized by a square root transformation. Only a relatively small amount of variation in droplet density was explained by measured variables. However, there was a reasonable degree of consistency in droplet density between sprays when sampled at fixed locations. Droplet density was significantly decreased by high temperatures (> 20C) and higher wind speeds. SSM predictions provided no additional explanation of variance in droplet density.
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