Reduction in the spray drift of 2,4-D in tomato using hydraulic nozzles with air induction and LI-700 adjuvant

Abstract

The drift of hormonal effect herbicides is a major problem for agriculture, because, even in small amounts, it may cause high losses in crops with plants that are sensitive to their action mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hydraulic spray nozzles with air induction, as well as the use of the LI-700 adjuvant, in the reduction of the 2,4-D herbicide drift, in tomato crop. A complete randomized split-plot experimental design, with eight replications, was used. Two herbicide solutions were assigned in the plots (with or without the use of adjuvant) [2,4-D (670 g ha^-1) and 2,4-D (670 g ha^-1) + LI-700 (712.88 g ha^-1)], and, in the subplots, five nozzle models [simple fan (JSF11003), simple fan with air induction (AD-IA11003), dual fan with air induction (AD-IA/D11003), simple hammer fan with air induction (TTI11003-VP) and empty cone with air induction (CV-IA10003). The treatments were applied in a wind tunnel, under a pressure of 300 kPa. In a laser analyzer, applying only water, the volumetric median diameter, the relative amplitude and the percentage of drops with diameter lower than 150 ?m were measured for all nozzle models. The CV-IA10003 and TTI11003-VP hydraulic nozzles outstand by reducing the 2,4-D herbicide drift and decreasing the damage to tomato plants. The addition of the LI-700 adjuvant to the 2,4-D syrup, independently of the nozzle model, reduces the drift of this herbicide and its effects on the tomato plant root. However, even when adopting these technologies, the application of the 2,4-D herbicide near the tomato crop should be avoided.