Study Regarding Methods and Techniques Used for Analysis of Spray Drift and Droplet Size Distribution by Agricultural Spraying Machines

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the methods and techniques used for analysis of spray drift and droplet size distribution by agricultural spraying machines. According to related standards and accepted definitions spray drift is the volume of plant protection product (PPP) that is transported by air currents from the target surface to another unintended area, during the application of PPP by agricultural spraying machines or by unmanned aerial spraying systems (UASS). Spray drift of PPP leads to pollution of watercourses, sensitive areas or direct damage (phytotoxicity) to neighboring crops. This paper analyses in force international standards and available literature, reports and scientific papers, that relate with issues regarding spray drift measurements.  Spray drift mitigation and management strategies are grouped in several key issues, that are related to the environment (e.g. meteorological variables), equipment design and PPP physical and chemical properties. For drift studies a variety of methods and techniques are used, each one with strengths and weaknesses, such as image analysis, image processing, real time measurements (Lidar and laser-based techniques)