Pneumatic spray delivery‐based fixed spray system configuration optimization for efficient agrochemical application in modern vineyards

BACKGROUND The hydraulic spray delivery (HSD)‐based solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS) emitter configuration has been optimized for agrochemical applications in vertical shoot position (VSP) vineyards. It uses cost‐prohibitive emitters, and their placement restricts the mechanical pruning activities. Therefore, this study focused on optimizing the spray performance of a pneumatic spray delivery (PSD)‐based SSCDS variant that addresses the earlier issues. Three PSD‐SSCDS emitter configurations (C1–C3) were designed using modified low‐cost emitters (E1: modified flat fan, E2: 90° modular flat fan) for agrochemical applications in VSP vineyards. C1 had an E1 installed on trellis posts at 1.67 m above ground level. C2 had a pair of E2 installed per vine at 0.3 m below the cordon, while C3 combined the emitter placement of C1 and C2. The spray deposition (ng cm−2) and coverage (%) were quantified (mean ± standard error) using mylar cards and water‐sensitive paper samplers placed within the canopy, respectively. RESULTS Spray deposition for C1, C2, and C3 was 301.12 ± 63.30, 347.9 ± 66.29, and 837.6 ± 92.53 ng cm−2, respectively. Whereas spray coverage for corresponding configurations was 18.02 ± 2.63, 8.98 ± 1.84, and 28.84 ± 2.46%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Overall, configuration C3 provided significantly higher spray deposition and coverage than C1 and C2. Substantially reduced system installation cost and emitter density per hectare with improved spray performance were achieved by C3 compared to earlier optimized HSD‐SSCDS configuration in the VSP vineyards. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This study optimized a pneumatic spray delivery‐based fixed spray system configuration for efficient agrochemical application in modern vineyards. Configuration with emitters installed on top of trellis (top canopy zone) and at 0.3 m below the cordon (bottom canopy zone) provided significantly higher spray deposition and coverage compared to configurations with emitter placement in only one of the either canopy zones.