This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aerial and ground application technology in spray deposition on soybean crop. It was evaluated the spray deposition on the bottom and the top of the plant canopy, after application of a tracer, by spectrophotometric technique. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications and eight treatments (application technologies): 1 - Ground (Hollow cone nozzle-TXA 8002 and 180 L ha-1) 2 - Ground (Air induction turbo twin flat fan nozzle-AITTJ 11002 and 150 L ha-1), 3 - Ground (Air induction turbo flat fan nozzle-TTI 11002 and 150 L ha-1), 4 - Ground (Turbo twin flat fan nozzle-TTJ60 11002 and 150 L ha-1) , 5 - Ground (Turbo flat fan nozzle-TT 11002 and 150 L ha-1) 6 - Aerial (Rotary atomizers and 40 L ha-1) 7 - Aerial (Rotary atomizers and 30 L ha-1) and 8 - Aerial (Rotary atomizers and 20 L ha-1). The droplet spectra were also evaluated. It was concluded that ground application with hollow cone nozzle and aerial with rotary atomizers (40 L ha-1) were the most effective in promoting the droplet penetration into soybean canopy, although their droplet spectra were more susceptible to drift. The aerial application was technically feasible in spray deposition, compared to ground treatments.
application technology; agricultural aviation; spray; Glycine max
