Measurement comparison and fitted distribution equation of droplet size for agricultural nozzles

In order to investigate the function expression of droplet size distribution in the spray sheet for agricultural nozzles to improve the pesticide efficacy, some common nozzle types were tested in this study. At present many methods and equipment were used for measuring droplet size. Droplet size is a main parameter influencing the deposition rate and distribution uniformity of pesticide on the target. The volume median diameters (VMDs) of air-induction compact nozzles (IDK), standard flat-fan nozzles (ST) and hollow-cone nozzles (TR), with the orifice sizes of 02 and 03 for each type, were measured at different positions in the spray sheet. The fitted function research involved in this paper will provide the valuable basis to study the VMD distribution of overlapped spray sheet for boom sprayer; the study will improve the uniformity of deposition rate and biological efficacy. Therefore, the VMD distribution is also conducive to the development of novel anti-drift sprayer to reduce the risk of pesticide.