Droplet size spectra and drift effect of two phenmedipham formulations and four adjuvants mixtures

The effect of 4 adjuvants on two formulations of phenmedipham (EC and SC) applied with three types of hydraulic nozzles (hollow cone, flat fan and air induction) was evaluated using a wind tunnel to determine spray drift potential (DP). The volume median diameter (VMD) and the percentage by volume of droplets less than 100 μm diameter was determined using a Malvern particle size analyser. In a wind tunnel DP was measured between 2 and 6 m downwind of the nozzle on glass fibre collectors using a fluorescent tracer. The EC formulation produced a smaller VMD and larger DP than the SC formulation irrespective of any effect due to adjuvants. DP increased as the proportion of small droplets increased.