Band sprayer with movable nozzles in comparison to broadcast spraying for reducing herbicide use in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In order to examine the reduction of herbicide consumption, the effect of band sprayer type was studied at two levels, band sprayer with a movable nozzle (S₁) and band sprayer with a fixed nozzle (S₂). Additionally, the height of the even flat fan nozzle 8002 relative to the ridge surface was tested at three levels, 20 cm (H₁), 30 cm (H₂), and 40 cm (H₃). This was conducted in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The broadcast spraying treatment was also considered as the control treatment, and compared with a movable nozzle at a height of 30 cm using the Student's t-test. The flow rate of each nozzle in both band sprayer types under constant pressure (3 bar), the band width in band sprayers, weed control index, and crop yield were measured and analyzed. The result showed that the width of the band on the ridge decreased from the center nozzle to the end of the boom. The highest maize grain yield was achieved in the band spraying treatment with a movable nozzle at a boom height of 30 cm (S₁H₂), with 15.17 t ha^-1, showing no significant difference to the broadcast spraying method (p > 0.05). This treatment had a mean weed count of 4.2. Additionally, a reduction in the consumption of acetochlor herbicide by 46.7% was achieved in this treatment, making it recommendable.