Nozzle Classification for Drift Reduction in Orchard Spraying: Identification of Drift Reduction Class Threshold Nozzles

In fruit growing high values of spray drift are found compared to arable field applications. In arable spraying drift reducing nozzles are certified for use as drift reducing measures. The nozzles which may potentially reduce drift in fruit growing are not jet classified as drift reducing nozzles, although they are available on the market. The development of a nozzle classification system to identify the drift reduction potential of spray nozzles used in fruit crop spraying would open this market. The results of the initial setup of a nozzle classification system for spray drift reduction in orchard spraying based on drop size measurements is described. An evaluation was made of measured drop size characteristics of a series of nozzles in reference to performed field measurements of two characteristic nozzles; Albuz lilac and Lechler ID9001. Based on these anchor points the ranking of the volume fraction of drops smaller than 100 ¿m (V100) of the nozzle to be classified could be scaled to yield a potential drift reduction, assuming a linear relationship between V100 and spray drift deposition. Within this system, the determination of threshold nozzles for the drift reduction classes 50%, 75%, 90% and 95% drift reduction are described. Identified threshold nozzles for these classes are TeeJet DG8002, Albuz AVI 80015, Lechler ID9001 and Albuz TVI80025 all at 7 bar spray pressure, except for the Lechler ID 9001 which is used at 5 bar pressure. These nozzles will be used in field drift measurements to validate the mode

Maybe I Have Character Too : Reconsidering Bernard Malamud\u27s Seductresses

Over the span of Bernard Malamud\u27s career, a more than subtle difference is evident between the seductress of his first novel and his subsequent novels. Since Malamud has been accused by some critics as depicting one-dimensional women, I analyzed the metamorphosis of the author\u27s seductress characters to determine whether the change lends a better understanding to the relationship between Malamud and his female characters. I used Jung\u27s theory of the mother archetype and his understanding of the Lilith legends to analyze the role of each seductress. In The Natural, the seductress is one-dimensional and plays a destructive role in the protagonist\u27s life. Her eros is depicted as detrimental, and she has attributes that make her Lilith-like. In A New Life, the seductress lacks eros and loses the evil characteristics of Lilith, but she also loses character altogether, becoming almost non-existent. However, the seductress from Malamud\u27s seventh novel, Dubin\u27s Lives, illustrates a more complex character. Her eros, like any characteristic of Jung\u27s mother archetype, can also be good. In her complexity, the final seductress illustrates a more accurate understanding of the mother archetype, but also a more realistic character. I concluded that Malamud\u27s treatment of the seductive woman\u27s eros is not static from novel to novel, but instead evolves. The change suggests that understanding Malamud requires a more thorough exploration of his later work

Development of a Crop Adapted Spray Application (CASA) sprayer for orchards

In the EU-FP6 ISAFRUIT project a Crop Adapted Spray Application system (CASA) for precision crop protection was developed (Doruchowski et al., 2009). The system ensures efficient and safe spray application in orchards according to actual needs and with respect to the environment. The developed CASA system consist of three sub-systems: Crop Health Sensor (CHS) - identifying the health status of fruit crops to apply chemicals only when necessary; Crop Identification System (CIS) - identifying the tree canopy size and density to apply spray precisely at relevant doses; Environmentally Dependent Application Systems (EDAS) - identifying environmental circumstances and navigating the sprayer to adjust application parameters accordingly so that spray drift is minimised and direct water contamination is avoided

Identification and quantification of point sources of surface water contamination in fruit culture in the Netherlands

Measurements of pesticide concentrations in surface water by the water boards show that they have decreased less than was expected from model calculations. Possibly, the implementation of spray drift reducing techniques is overestimated in the model calculation. The impact of point sources is probably underestimated. A project was initiated for the quantification and qualification of possible point sources in Dutch fruit culture. From a survey it was concluded that the majority of fruit growers do not posses the mandatory equipment regarding filling and cleaning of sprayers. This creates a potential environmental risk for surface water contamination. Further research is focused on: internal and external cleaning of sprayers, environmental impact of the washings, discharge of transport water from fruit sorting installations, and bioremediation systems for processing contaminated water

Is erfgoed ingeburgerd?

Rede bij het afscheid als hoogleraar ruimtelijke planning en cultureel erfgoed, Wageningen Universiteit. Drie aspecten komen aan bod: ingeburgerd bij burgers, in de ruimtelijke planning, en in Wagenings onderzoek en onderwij