Pesticide Application Procedures
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CHAPTER 11 Pesticide ApplicAtion Procedures LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying this chapter, you should be able to: • Name several different application procedures and types of equipment. • Discuss appropriate safety systems (e.g., closed mixing and loading, enclosed cab, and pesticide containment). • Identify the factors (e.g., nozzles, volumes, pressures, and speeds) that affect calibration. • Explain the importance of calibrating application equipment. • Show how to calculate the size of the application area. • Indicate how to determine the pesticide application rate. • Demonstrate how to determine the amount of pesticide concentrate and diluent to use. • Explain how to choose appropriate drift reduction practices. oday’s pest management practices be matched to the pesticide as well as to Trequire modern equipment to apply the size and type of the job. To make an a variety of pesticides. Pesticides may be effective, safe, and efficient application, applied as sprays, dusts, granules, gases read the label first. In addition, you (vapors), fogs, baits, rubs, or dips. The must properly select, operate, calibrate, vast array of application equipment must and maintain your equipment. APPLICATION METHODS he pesticide application method you equipment, and cost and efficiency of Tchoose depends on the nature and alternative methods. Your choice is habits of the target pest, characteristics often predetermined by one or more of of the target site, properties of the these factors. The following are some pesticide, suitability of the application common application methods: PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 157 • Crack-and-crevice application —placing small amounts of pes- ticide into cracks and crevices in buildings, such as along base- boards and in cabinets. • Directed-spray application— specifically targeting pests to minimize pesticide contact with nontarget plants and animals. AGCO • Foliar application—directing pesticide to the leafy portions of Broadcast application a plant. • Rope-wick or wiper treat- ments—releasing pesticides onto a device that is wiped onto weeds taller than the crop, or wiped selectively onto individual weeds in an ornamental planting bed. • Soil application—placing pes- ticide directly on or in the soil instead of on a growing plant. • Soil incorporation—using tillage, rainfall, or irrigation equipment Crack and crevice application Foliar application to move pesticide into the soil. • Band application —applying a • Soil injection—applying a pes- pesticide in parallel strips or ticide under pressure beneath bands, such as between or over the soil surface. rows of crops. • Space treatment—applying a • Basal application—directing pesticide in an enclosed area. herbicides to the lower portions of brush or small trees. • Spot treatment—applying a pesticide to small, distinct areas. • Broadcast application—uni- formly applying a pesticide to an • Tree injection—applying pesti- entire area or field. cides under the bark of trees. SAFETY SYSTEMS Closed systems… • Increase handler safety. losed mixing and loading systems, pesticides from contacting handlers • Reduce the need for Cenclosed application systems or other persons during mixing and some personal protective (e.g., enclosed cabs), and pesticide loading. Sometimes the label of pes- equipment. containment systems are excellent ticides with a high risk of causing investments if you use large quanti- human health effects may require the • Decrease the occurrence ties of pesticides or the kind that is of spills. use of a closed mixing and loading very hazardous to humans or to the system. • Provide a more accurate environment. There are two primary types of measurement of closed mixing and loading systems. pesticide concentrate, Closed Mixing and One type uses mechanical devices to which reduces overdosing Loading Systems deliver the pesticide from the con- or underdosing. Closed mixing and loading tainer to the equipment. The other systems are designed to prevent type uses water-soluble packaging. 158 CHAPTER 11 Water-Soluble Packaging Water-soluble bags are a simple type of closed mixing and loading system. The premeasured pesticide is contained inside a water-soluble bag or packet. The pesticide bag is placed unopened into the water or fertilizer in the mixing tank. Few manufacturers, Statewide IPM Program however, provide water-soluble bags for Jack Kelly of Clark, California Univ. small-volume applications. There must be ample time during mixing to allow for the bags to dissolve. A closed loading system. Mechanical Systems Enclosed Cabs enclosed cab Mechanical systems often consist An (such as a tractor of a series of interconnected equipment cab, cockpit, or truck/vehicle cab) sur- parts that allow for the safe removal rounds the occupant(s) and may prevent of a pesticide concentrate from its pesticide exposure as long as the doors, original container, either by gravity or hatches, and windows are kept closed by suction. These systems minimize at all times during the application. exposure when rinsing the empty con- Enclosed cabs are considered a tainer and transferring the pesticide and supplement to personal pro- rinsate to the application equipment. tective equipment (PPE) —not a replacement for Mechanical systems are often University of Nebraska it. So, you must wear all custom-made with components from Larry Schulze, several commercial sources. These PPE specified on the systems are available for containers as label while working small as 2.5 gallons. Because pesticide inside the enclosed cab. container openings vary in shape and However, the labeling size, no single closed system can be used of some agricultural with all containers. use pesticides may allow A mechanical loading system is exceptions to the label- often used with minibulk containers. specified PPE requirements These containers range in volume from for applicators in enclosed cabs. 40 to 330 gallons and are adapted to Check with your state, tribe, or ter- closed systems. Typically, pump-and- ritory pesticide regulatory agency for Enclosed cabs drive units deliver the product. A meter any other requirements regarding PPE are considered a supplement to PPE, allows accurate measuring from the and enclosed cabs. Remember, outside surfaces of the application equipment not a replacement minibulk tank to the sprayer. Minibulks for it. usually must be returned to the dealer and cab are contaminated. Be sure to for refilling. This process eliminates wear appropriate PPE when getting in the need to triple rinse or pressure rinse and out of the cab or performing rou- multiple small containers and reduces tine equipment maintenance. the volume of used plastic containers. Pesticide Containment Systems If you often use the same location to mix and load pesticides or clean equipment, you may have to install a pesticide containment pad. Check U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state, tribe, or territory regulations to determine when a containment pad is Mini-bulk tank. required. Keep spray tanks contain- ing pesticides on a pad. These pads are PESTICIDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES 159 Use a permanently installed con- tainment pad to mix, load, and clean equipment and in areas where large quantities of pesticides are handled or stored. Generally, the containment pad must be made of impermeable material. It should be concave or have curbs, berms, or walls high enough to hold the largest amount of spill, leak, or equipment wash water likely to occur at the site. It also must be equipped with a system to remove and A mixing and loading pad. recover spilled, leaked, or released material by either an automatic sump system or a manually operated pump. designed to contain spills, leaks, over- Smaller, portable pads and lightweight flows, and wastewater for reuse by the trays made of heavy-duty plastic may applicator or disposal by a commercial be used when mixing and loading at waste management contractor. They the application site. Again, check reg- make it easier to clean up spills and help ulations for containment pad design prevent environmental contamination. requirements. APPLICATION EQUIPMENT he application equipment or device Tmust be able to apply the pesticide to the intended target at the proper rate. The label specifies the legal application rate and may suggest the appropriate equipment for use with the product. Application equipment may range from an aerosol can to hand equipment to power equipment, including aircraft. The equipment may be carried, towed, or self-propelled. Sprayers The most common type of pes- ticide application equipment is the sprayer: nearly 90% of all pesticides are formulated for spraying. A hydraulic (liq- uid) sprayer uses water or other liquid car- rier for the pesticide. Larry Schulze, University of Nebraska However, in the case A backpack sprayer is a type of hydraulic Larry Schulze, of ultra-low-volume sprayer. University of Nebraska spraying, the pesti- cide is either applied manual backpack and hand-held directly as formulated or compressed-air sprayers. In all cases, with dramatically reduced pressure from either a pump or com- carrier volumes. Hydraulic pressed gas or air is used to atomize the sprayers range from large agri- spray mix at the nozzle. A hydraulic sprayer cultural sprayers with multiple-nozzle Manual sprayers are designed for with a spray boom. booms and power sprayers to small spot treatments and for areas unsuitable 160 CHAPTER 11 for larger units. They are relatively tanks require an opening in the bottom inexpensive, simple to operate,