Saturation Spraying of Blueberries with Partial Spray Recovery

ABSTRACT Ahigh-pressure high-volume sprayer with provision for recapturing and recycling undeposited spray was mounted on a high-clearance tractor and used to apply wetting sprays to blueberry bushes for blueberry bud mite (Acalitus vaccinii, Keifer) control. Approximately 40% of the nozzle output was recycled when nozzle discharge was providing nominal application rates of 306 L/ha at pressures of 690 to 2758 kPa and a ground speed of 4.22 km/h. The spray zone is partially enclosed, resulting in more complete coverage of the bushes. Airborne drift is substantially decreased.