Determination of spraying properties of nozzle plates in greenhouse sprayers in use

In agricultural production, chemical methods are widely used in the fight against diseases, pests and weeds. Sprayers are the most used machines for the application of pesticides (pesticides) used in chemical methods to target surfaces. The use of sprayers in the production season; Many factors such as product variety, cultivation method, production period, disease, pest and weed status, and economic value of the product affect it. One of the production areas where the use of sprayers is intense is greenhouse cultivation. In traditional greenhouses, hydraulic sprayers, which are powered by an electric motor and sprayed with a spray bar with hollow conical nozzles, are widely used. Success in the use of sprayers; food safety, healthy agricultural production, a sustainable environment, occupational health and safety, etc. matters are important. For this reason, in addition to paying attention to the selection of the sprayer, it is necessary to perform the repair and periodic maintenance of the machines on time. The nozzle heads are a critical part of the success of the pulverization (spraying process), and the nozzle plate hole shape and dimensions change depending on the period of use. One of the procedures to be done in periodic maintenance is to replace the worn nozzle plates with new ones. In this research, it is aimed to examine the spraying properties of the existing nozzle plates in greenhouse sprayers used in traditional greenhouse enterprises. In the trials carried out in Antalya Province, 1.5 mm diameter nozzle plates belonging to greenhouse sprayers collected from 60 traditional greenhouse enterprises operating in 5 different districts and three new nozzle plates were used. In the study, the hole sizes, beam angles, flow rate and drug distribution values of the nozzle plates were determined and compared with the new plate (reference) values. According to the research findings, the hole diameter and flow rate values of the nozzle plates in use increased by an average of 10.8% in both variables compared to the new nozzle plates. Considering the 10% value, which is an important limit value indicating the replacement time of the nozzle plates, it is understood that 46.7% of the nozzle plates in use need to be replaced.