Low volume spraying on cotton: a comparison between spray distribution using charged and uncharged droplets applied by two spinning disc sprayers

Abstract Two hand held spinning disc sprayers, one producing electrostatically charged spray, were assessed and compared on Egyptian cotton. The charged droplets produced greater overall deposition with a higher proportion on the undersurface of leaves. Spinning disc sprayers offer smallholder cotton farmers several advantages over higher volume sprays applied by knapsack sprayers, and it is suggested that charged rotary atomisers merit further consideration for controlling troublesome cotton pests such as whiteflies which are found on the undersurface of leaves.