Calibration of sprayers

The origin of the word “calibration” is the matching of the bullet size to the size of the canon barrel - in other words a preparation that is necessary to ensure a desired well defined result.

For spraying, calibration is necessary to ensure targeted, optimal use of plant protection products, minimum risk to the crop, consumer, and environment and to avoid excess spray liquid at the end of the spray job.

This paper describes a practical method for calibration of field crop sprayers orchard sprayers and hand held sprayers as well as some aspects of calibration that may need further discussion and clarification: So far there are no well documented general answers telling at what wear rate nozzles should be changed, how chemical injection systems can be calibrated efficiently and safely.