Now a days because of non availability of labour the usage of pre & post emergence herbicides is more among the farmers. But sometimes due to the herbicidal drift most of the farmers are facing the problem of tip drying, crinkling and sometimes completely drying of the plants. Can anyone please suggest the best management methods to recover the plants from herbicidal drift.
1. Height (appropriate) of the spray from the canopy
2. Avoid windy days
3. Use a proper nozzle
4. Read the label before application of herbicides for recommended height and nozzle.
The first thing an herbicide applicator has to do is to read labels for droplet size requirements of the herbicide and then set up equipment to ensure drift minimization. A drift can be minimized by selecting appropriate nozzle type and pressure with due consideration for the weather conditions, most importantly the wind velocity and temperature inversions. Transport of herbicide away from the target area could be under the influence of gravity, buoyancy and wind. In this case, large droplets may fall faster than small droplets. In other words, the higher the droplet is released, the further it will move away from the target area because there is more time for the wind to move the droplet before it lands. Hence, an herbicide drift is closely related to boom or flying height. In drift prone conditions, boom should be operated at lowest height possible. Decreasing nozzle spacing will also allow boom to be operated at a lower height.
Temperature inversions would occur when warmer, less-dense air moves over cooler, denser air. The situation could create subtle horizontal air flows that can move concentrated amounts of spray long distances. Herbicide applicators should make clear understanding of the following aspects before and during herbicide applications;
(1) Before spraying
• Always check for susceptible crops in the area.
• Recognize all sensitive areas (wildlife and people).
• Know what is around the application site.
• Notify neighbors of your spraying intentions.
• When spraying, record weather and relevant spray details.
During spraying
(2) During spraying
• Always monitor weather conditions and understand their effects. Do not spray if unsuitable, and stop if conditions change.
• Minimize spray release height.
• Select herbicide type to minimize potential drift. Always use least-volatile formulation available. If sensitive crops in area, use least damaging herbicides. If possible, add drift retardant.
• Keep a supply of various nozzle types.
• Spray early morning when wind is still calm.
• Have ultimate control of drift management.
There is a legal aspect of herbicide drift from the Agricultural Practices (Disputes) point of view, registration of chemicals and the Environmental Protection Act. In addition to crop yield loss legal suite, the Department of Environmental Protection can prosecute a person that "causes or allows to be caused pollution”. Herbicide drifts can be simply prevented or reduced, if properly handled. In all cases, one should avoid spraying during certain weather conditions such as midday turbulence, high temperature, high humidity and still conditions (high wind).
The solution is to spray when the wind is still, increase the volume of the spray solution and use the shield around the nozzle and bring it closer to the surface of the soil.
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