ABSTRACT

Electrostatic spray technology was pioneered for improved spray deposition. Many have thought that with improved spray deposition that there would also be reduced off-target deposits. Aerial electrostatic systems are now commercially available and more experience is being gained on the most appropriate uses for electrostatic systems in aerial application of crop protection and production products. When aerial electrostatic systems were configured for enhanced spray deposition, field studies did not show reduced spray drift. However, preliminary research indicated that an aerial electrostatic system configured for coalescence did increase the size of spray droplets deposited in the spray swath. This study was designed to determine if a similarly configured system with conventional spray rates would decrease drift and downwind spray deposits. The large-scale field study did not confirm the preliminary research.