Spraying breakthrough set to reduce chemical usage

publication date: Jun 26, 2008

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author/source: David Harris

Significant savings in time, manpower and pesticide usage are promised for a new professional weed control system being introduced into the United Kingdom by Amenity Land Services (ALS),

Utilising Mankar Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spraying equipment from Germany, the system is able to apply the absolute minimum necessary quantities of herbicide - typically 2 litres/ha - to achieve the required results, greatly reducing impact on the environment. By comparison, Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) systems typically use between 10 and 15 litres/ha while a knapsack sprayer uses a massive 250 - 300 litres/ha.

The accuracy and ULV capabilities of Mankar application equipment has enabled ALS to develop in association with Monsanto a total weed control system using Roundup ProBiactive 450, Monsanto’s new and highly-advanced glyphosatebased herbicide incorporating a unique, performance-enhancing surfactant.

New EU pesticide legislation requires ‘minimum necessary’ application of pesticide in public spaces and the Mankar system claims exactly that.

The Mankar ULV system has been used widely by local authorities across Europe since the mid 1990s and is the only application method allowed to operate near watercourses in Holland.

Two key design features of Mankar ULV equipment combine to promote maximum accuracy of spray applications without drift. The first is the use of a vertical rotating disc that produces small, evenly-sized droplets of around 40 microns instead of the 200 microns associated with conventional CDA. Rather than disperse the droplets sideways in a circle, the Mankar system propels them vertically downwards at high speed in a flat fan shape, enabling the tiny droplets to stick to the plant or ground before they lose momentum and drift. This ability and the small size of the droplets results in greatly improved target coverage.

The second design feature is the windshield enclosing the standard Mankar spray head. By sheltering the head against wind, not only is the risk of drift reduced but it allows pesticides to be applied in windier conditions than would normally be possible, further helping reduce downtime and costs. The shield also helps protect the head against possible damage in use or transport and improves safe application amongst shrubs. Mankar ULV application equipment is available in a range of options to suit a wide variety of amenity, highway and general horticulture weed control requirements.

The most popular items are expected to be the MC20 and MC30 hand lances with shrouded spray heads able to apply herbicide over widths adjustable from 100mm to 300mm and 130mm to 450mm respectively. There is also a hand-controlled 200mm shrouded spot sprayer, a path/pavement sprayer and a kerb/pathway edging sprayer, the last two mentioned being equipped with a support wheel.

In addition to pedestrianoperated equipment, customers can select Mankar ULV spraying systems for use with ATVs, tractors and utility vehicles and there are standard and row crop configurations available for spraying pesticides within plant and tree nurseries, garden centres, vineyards and general horticultural cropping situations.