airassisted

Airassisted refers to spray systems that use an airstream to aid in delivering droplets onto plant surfaces. In agricultural spraying, airassisted sprayers combine a conventional nozzle with a blower or fan that creates a directed airflow across or through the spray plume. The moving air entrains droplets and helps transport them into crop canopies, improving coverage and penetration especially in tall, dense, or upright crops such as fruit trees, vineyards, and leafy vegetables.

How it works: A compressor or motor powers a blower, generating a controlled air stream that interacts with spray nozzles. The resulting air–spray combination carries droplets deeper into the canopy and can reduce droplet rebound from leaves. Operators tune parameters such as air speed, nozzle type, and spray pressure to balance penetration with drift control. Droplet size is chosen to achieve adequate deposition while minimizing off-target movement.

Applications: Airassisted spraying is used for pesticides, fungicides, and foliar nutrients where enhanced canopy penetration is beneficial. It is common in orchards, vineyards, nurseries, and other high-density cropping systems, particularly where conventional sprayers struggle to reach interior foliage.

Advantages and limitations: Potential advantages include improved coverage, better deposition on complex canopies, and the possibility of using lower spray volumes. However, the approach adds equipment complexity and energy use, and requires careful calibration. If air movement is not properly controlled or environmental conditions are unfavorable, drift or uneven deposition can occur.

See also: spray drift, agricultural sprayers, air-assisted sprayer, canopy penetration.