Equipment Spraying
Evaluating electrostatic spraying in carrot

In 2018, MS Gregson introduced a line of electrostatic sprayers (the Ecostatik) in Canada. While electrostatic technology has been used in agriculture since the 1980’s, this is the first time ground rigs have been so readily available to Ontario (possibly Canadian) growers.

The three-point hitch Ecostatik can be configured for vertical booms or for banded/broadcast applications. The largest version has a 150 gallon tank, 10 gallon rinse tank and 72 nozzles on 7.5″ centres on a 60 foot boom.

That model requires a 75 HP tractor, but 100 HP is preferred. The manufacturer claims the Ecostatik uses 50 per cent less spray mix, gives superior underleaf coverage, and loses less spray to the soil compared to conventional methods.

In the summer of 2018 we evaluated and compared the electrostatic sprayer to conventional application methods at the University of Guelph’s Holland Marsh Research Station. Our goal was to assess spray coverage and physical drift in a vegetable crop. | For the full story, CLICK HERE.