Pesticidewise: knapsack spraying onions
Channel: Pesticidewise
Date: 2016-01-20

Pesticidewise: knapsack spraying onions

Visit https://www.pesticidewise.com/en/questions/during-spraying/are-there-any-hints-and-tips-for-spraying-my-crop/ for more information on spraying crops with a knapsack sprayer.

Script

To grow a well established crop like this one early weed control is essential. At the early growth stages vulnerable seedlings easily lose the competition for light, water and nutrients. 

At later growth stages pests and diseases can cause problems. The leaves of the onion plant are often widely spaced, waxy thin and upright. Which means that the spray drops are not easily retained when spraying insecticides and fungicides. Your pesticide label therefore may also advise the use of wetters, surfactants or stickers to improve retention of spray drops, so that the drops are more likely to remain on the leaves. 

Where your pesticide label advises using small drops project the drops at an angle to the vertical, upright leaf. Bear in mind that the problem with smaller drops however is that they are more likely to drift in wind or evaporate in high temperatures and so you must pay particular attention to the weather conditions when spraying. Have a look at our 5 day weather and spray condition forecast for more information https://www.pesticidewise.com/en/tools/weather-forecast/ 

The key to achieving an even coverage of all the foliage is to follow the advice on your pesticide label for water volumes, drop sizes and spraying pressures for  your crop growing under your conditions. Also take particular care to position your nozzle or boom at the right distance from the crop and maintain that distance throughout the spraying process. 

Have a look at our calibration video for advice on getting the nozzle type and size, knapsack sprayer pressure, spraying distance and spraying speed just right. For more information about using pesticides and which PPE to use visit our website http://www.pesticidewise.com

The youtube url for this video is https://youtu.be/AdN605S3eHA