NIAB - National Institute of Agricultural Botany
Plant Science Into Practice
Silsoe Spray Applications Unit
Technical Services
Silsoe Spray Applications Unit undertakes a range of testing for commercial customers. These include both standard tests to recognised protocols or standards, and bespoke investigations to address specific questions. We have UKAS accreditation to meet BS EN ISO 17025:2005 for some procedures and for our most commonly used analytical techniques.
We also undertake a wide range of research projects
Nozzle Performance
The Unit has equipment and expertise to:
- Measure droplet size and velocity distributions in a spray, airborne droplet concentrations and fluxes with laser-based instruments – Oxford Lasers Visisizer and Malvern SprayTec
- Visualise spray formation processes
- Undertake spray classification according to BCPC or ASABE protocols
- Measurement of nozzle flow rates, spray fan angle, and spray distribution patterns
Spray Deposits
Deposits on plants and other surfaces can be quantified, using a range of tracer chemicals:
- coloured tracer dyes, using spectrophotometry
- fluorescent dyes, using fluorimetry
- active ingredients, using hplc in-house, or working with specialist analytical laboratories for more complex techniques
Images of target surfaces can be obtained using photography and image analysis to determine the area covered by spray
The wind tunnel can be used to make controlled applications to tray-grown crops under field conditions, allowing determination of
- Quantity deposited on the plant
- uptake of active ingredient
- rainfastness of plant protection products
Spray Drift
Field measurements
- Measuring airborne droplets using passive line collectors
- Ground deposits
- Exposure of non-target species, including bystanders
- Sampling airborne vapour or droplet concentration with suction samplers
- Potential deposition on a range of targets, including plants
- Using tracer dyes or real tank mixes
- Measurement of meteorological conditions
Wind tunnel studies
Controlled environmental conditions - wind speed, humidity and crop/surface condition- Standard tests for LERAP star ratings for nozzles
- Drift measurements according to other wind tunnel protocols (such as DIX)
Other tests
We can offer a range of other tests associated with pesticide application and sprayer operation, including container pouring and cleaning, induction hopper performance.
Training courses
We also undertake bespoke training courses, either at our Silsoe site, where demonstrations of the wind tunnel and other equipment can be included, or at a site to suit the customer.
Typical course content would include spray drift, nozzle choice, optimising application for maximising pesticide efficacy, effect of spray liquid on spray behaviour, and can be used to gain Basis or NRoSO points.
Please contact us for further information about the technical services we can offer.