To ensure
the maximum benefit is achieved from the Pesticide it is most important
that the label instructions are carefully read, and followed. Always
read the chemical label before applying pesticides.
Once the choice
of equipment has been made it is very important that during its operation
the correct quantity of both pesticide and warmer that were previously
selected from the label are now applied to the target accurately.
Regardless of the
type of equipment it must be maintained correctly( see the following
section). After maintenance, a quick check on the output of the mixture
will ensure that the operation is carried out according to plan.
There are many methods
of calibration, of which three are shown below. The first is the mode
accurate, applies to any type of sprayer. hand held or mechanised and
should be used when setting up equipment for the first time. The second
and third are in-field quick guide to the output of the equipment and
very easy to understand and implement.
Method
1 -CALCULATION (Using Water)
STEP
1
Choose a VOLUME
OF APPLICATION in Litres per Hectare from the label...... L/HA.
STEP
2
Check the
FORWARD SPEED of the sprayer unit
360 / The
time (in second) taken to cover 100 metres = FORWARD SPEED km/h
360 /
= Kilmetres Per Hour
STEP
3
Use the
following calculation to identify the size of Spray Nozzle required.
Using the figures you have recorded ahove, place them in the boxes
below and complte the calculation as shown
VOLUME
OF
APPLICATION
X
FORWARD
SPEED
X
SPRAY
WIDTH
/600
=
NOZZLE
OUTPUT
L/HA
X
KM/H
X
M
/600
=
L/MIN
/600
=
STEP
4
Check the ST
Spray Nozzle Chart. Choose the nozzle of the correct flow rate by
matching the flow in litres per minute to the nozzle in the chart.
STEP
5
Using a
wrist and a measuring jug set the sprayer to operate at the normal
pressuer ans measure the flow in the jug for one minutr with the
new nozzle. It should correspond to the figure on the chart for
the chosen nozzle.
If the flow
is slighty too low/high for a mechanised sprayer to operate, adjust
the pressure. For hand held units adjust the width or speed. For
larger differences, change the nozzle
Method
2 - OIL PALM FIELD CALIBRATION (Using Water)
The following method wil enable you to determin the exact amount of
pesticide required to mix each tankful of water
STEP
1
Choose the
correct nozzle for your sprayer unit. by refering to the ST Spray
Nozzle Chart.
STEP
2
After first
rinsing out the sprayer, fill with clean water (e.g CP16 Outlaster
has a 16 litre Capacity.
STEP
3
Proceed to
spray the path & circle as in normal practice with the tankful
of clean water. After the sprayer is empty, count the circles sprayed
STEP
4
Record the
following information :-
Example Only
Tank
Capacity
=
16 Litres
Palms
per Hectare
=
148 Palms
Total
numbers of circles sprayed with One Tank
=
35 Circles
STEP
5
Using the
figures you have obtained above, place them in the boxes provided
below and complete the calculation as shown
NUMBERS
OF
PALMS
PER ECTARE
X
TANK
CAPACITY
IN LITRES
X
3.5
/
NUMBER
OF CIRCLES SPRAYED
=
VOLUME
OF APPLICATION PER HECTARE
Example
148
X
16
X
3.5
/
35
=
236.8
L/HA.
X
X
3.5
/
STEP
6
To determine
the quantity of pesticide required per tank, read the chemical
label and choose the amount of Pesticide according to the label.
Place the label recommendation in the box below and complete the
following
