Parameter Optimization of Newly Developed Self-Propelled Variable Height Crop Sprayer Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Approach

Abstract

The number of spray deposits plays an important role in effective and efficient spraying. The spraying equipment is one of the most significant factors that affect the number of spray deposits. Therefore, the study was focused on the parameter optimization of a newly developed self-propelled variable height crop sprayer. Response surface methodology (RSM) along with Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to study the effect of the independent variables (forward speed, spray height, and spray pressure) on response variables such as droplet density, coverage per-centage, and Volume Median Diameter (VMD). The experiment was conducted in the cotton field. Additionally, the RSM model was validated in this research. The results revealed that the coefficient of determination (R2) values was good for all response variables in the quadratic polynomial model. The optimized parameters were 6.5 km/h, 60 cm, 4 bar for fungicide application, and 8 km/h, 70 cm, 3 bar for insecticide and herbicide application. The predicted response variable values at the optimal conditions were 60.4 droplet/cm2, 27%, 230 µm for fungicides and 37.8 droplet/cm2, 19.1%, 225.4 µm for insecticide and herbicides application. The model validation is confirmed by the mean of actual response variable values at the optimal condition for insecticide and herbicides application, which was 41.35 ± 3.67 droplet/cm2, 21.10 ± 1.72%, 227.43 ± 1.22 µm, and the prediction error was 8.46%, 9.2%, and 0.9% for droplet density, coverage percentage, and VMD, respectively. This study can provide support for further optimizing the parameters of the sprayer.

Air assistance and spray volumes on the coverage, droplet density, and spray deposition in melon plants

“…stated that the application of high mixture volumes makes it impossible to determine droplet density since several water-sensitive labels are completely taken over by a single stain, which can be explained by the combination of several drops. Thus, in view of the results found in this study, corroborating the aforementioned authors, it appears that water-sensitive paper is more suitable for verifying target coverage and inadequate for evaluating the population of droplets Khah et al (2022). recommend a density of 30 to 40 drops cm -2 for systemic insecticides.…”

Development and Evaluation of a Prototype Self-Propelled Crop Sprayer for Agricultural Sustainability in Small Farms

“…It is concluded that as the value of pressure increased, the value of droplet density also increased. Khan et al [39] reported the same trend. Figure 11c showed that the change in the droplet density was very little or less than 1% in treatments T10 and T18 when both height and pressure increased at the same time at a constant speed of 6 km h −1 .…”

“…Carroll [38] reported that as forward speed increased, the droplet density decreased. Khan et al [39] also reported that the droplet density decreases as forward speed and spray height increase. Figure 11b showed that in treatment T4 (4 km h −1 , 55 cm, and 3 bar) and T6 (4 km h −1 , 55 cm, and 7 bar) when pressure increased (3 bar to 7 bar), the value of droplet density was increased up to 7.1%.…”

“…Nansen et al [43] reported the same trend as forward speed increased, the coverage percentage decreased. Khan et al [39] also reported that with increasing forward speed and spray height the coverage percentage was decreased. Figure 12b depicted that the value of coverage percentage was increased by 9.5% when pressure increased (3 to 7 bar) in treatment T4 and T6 at the constant speed and height.…”

“…Carroll [38] reported the same results. Khan et al [39] also reported that as pressure increases, the coverage percentage also increases. According to Figure 12c, when both spray height and pressure increased at the same time in the treatments T10 and T18 (40 to 70 am and 3 to 7 bar) at a constant speed, there was no effect on coverage percentage.…”