Effect of sprayer parameters and wind speed on spray retention and soil deposits of pesticides: Case of artichoke cultivar

Irrational use of chemical method for crop protection, presents increasingly serious risks human health and the environment. Droplet size meteorological parameters are key factors to both environmental contamination pest control efficacy. The objective this study is assess impact nozzle parameters, operating pressure wind speed on droplet foliage deposition (retention) soil (losses), when treating artichoke. Several combinations were tested in a tunnel field, under Mediterranean microclimatic conditions, using fluorescent dye as substitute pesticide. Multiple regression models built from data predict deposits, with determination coefficients 0.96. Thus, able simulate pesticide artichoke leaves deposition, depending sprayer speed. Foliage deposits rates ranged 30 52% 26 57% respectively anti-drift nozzle. For conventional nozzle, varied 20 38% 31 62%. To improve retention reduce spray losses, it recommended choose medium an conjunction size, reduced