Drift-reducing nozzles and their use in practice:

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Drift-reducing nozzles are now commonplace and most spray operators will have at least one set available.  Their challenge is to know which ones to buy, and when to use them.

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Our key messages are:

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• The performance of drift-reducing nozzles will be product-dependent and therefore we cannot recommend overriding manufacturer’s guidance or label requirements.

• The AHDB nozzle selection chart, although in need of updating, still provides the best generic guidance and advises that for applications to plants, a small-droplet (low drift reduction) AI nozzle will give better performance than a large droplet (high drift reduction) one.

• Applications to soil will be unaffected by droplet size and therefore pre-emergence applications can be successfully undertaken with the highest drift reduction available

• Where manufacturers have formulated products to be effective with nozzles that give high levels of drift reduction, and are willing to support their use, then go ahead!

• When choosing a nozzle with a given level of drift reduction, make sure this can be achieved with a sensible pressure range (e.g. 1 – 3 bar) and at a boom height you can reliably achieve at the speed you intend to travel.