return
to home pageTHE PESTICIDE APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY
TEAM
at Cornell University
The challenge:
To use engineering methods to optimise pesticide use by improving deposition,
reducing drift and developing safer pesticide handling methods
The team
Dr Andrew Landers, Ph.D Agricultural Engineering, University of Bath, UK.
Following many years teaching and conducting research in the UK came to Cornell
University in 1998 where he has a research/extension position.
Dr Muhammad Farooq , Ph.D Agricultural Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Canada. He spent two years at the University of Florida conducting post-doc research into pesticide application in citrus trees..
Mr Bruce Wadhams, AAS, Finger Lakes Community College
Recently joined the team, studied horticulture at College.
Plus undergraduate summer helpers, currently Amy Ells and Geoff Taras.
We work closely within a multi-disciplinary group, namely entomologists, plant pathologists and horticulturalists.
Commodities
Apples, Grapes, Turfgrass and Vegetables
Research
We have been most successful in obtaining research funding via a team approach.
We work particularly closely with Wayne Wilcox, (Plant Pathology) and Harvey
Reissig, Art Agnello, Greg English-Loeb (Entomology). We have also worked on
smaller projects with numerous Cornell University colleagues at Ithaca, Geneva,
Riverhead, Hudson Valley and Fredonia. The approach: the engineers look at drift
and deposition, the pathologist looks at disease control and the entomologist
looks at insect activity. We have studied novel spraying techniques such as
Proptec, ESS electrostatic, CIMA and LIPCO tunnel sprayers over 3 year trial
periods.
We have studied alternate row deposition and new methods of applying pesticides such as steam/hot water/foam system. A set of deflectors have been developed which improve pesticide deposition by 30% average.
We have studied the adoption and use of engineering controls to reduce operator contamination and environmental pollution. Engineering controls such as closed transfer systems, tank rinsing devices and carbon cab filters allow for the safer use of pesticides and reduce the risk of operator and sprayer contamination.
Current and future research:
To study the inter-relationship between air volume, speed and direction with
pesticide volume, forward speed and developing canopy. To continue comparitive
field trials of sprayers and study the development and adoption of engineering
controls.
Extension
Field meetings are held throughout the state to demonstrate the latest spraying
techniques, primarily in grapes and apples. Airblast sprayers continue to be
the main challenge due to the high quantities of drift. During spring and summer
of 2003 we held 11 sprayer demonstrations across the state. 35- 40 presentations
are made annually at conferences, workshops and grower meetings. A number of
conference presentations are national and international.
Publications
We publish a large section in Penn State/Cornell Grape Recommends, and have
produced a large number of fact sheets.
A wide range of research and extension papers are to be found on the web page.
Facilities
A fully equipped pesticide application laboratory, electronics lab and mechanical
workshop.
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About This Site
(/ent/faculty/landers/pestapp/): Created for Dr Andrew Landers, Department of Entomology, NYSAES, Cornell University, ajl31@cornell.edu Design and maintenance: Amy Ells, IPM Program, Cornell University, are8@cornell.edu Computer Support: Cheryl TenEyck, IPM Program, and Ron Pool, Computer Services, Cornell University This material is protected by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law. Copyright is held by Cornell University. If you intend to use this material, please acknowledge the author and the source of the information. This page updated 8.05.03 |