What should we pay attention to when spraying pesticides on fruit trees in summer?
During the hot and humid summer, fruit tree diseases and pests are prone to outbreaks and proliferation. Summer is also a period when fruit trees are sensitive to pesticides, and improper spraying methods can easily cause pesticide damage.
So, have you encountered these “traps” below?
Spraying Time
- Does higher temperature improve the effectiveness of pesticides? Many fruit farmers believe that higher temperatures are better when spraying pesticides, but that’s not true. In high temperatures and strong sunlight, pests tend to stop their activities and hide in shady areas, making it difficult for the chemicals to reach them. Moreover, the rapid evaporation and decomposition of pesticides in high temperatures can reduce their effectiveness.
Spraying pesticides in high temperatures also increases the risk of poisoning for the spraying personnel due to the strong volatility of the chemicals.
Is early morning the best time for spraying?
Many fruit farmers prefer to spray pesticides in the cool morning, but at that time, the dew has not dried up yet, and the pesticides can be diluted by the dew, reducing their effectiveness and resulting in poor control.
The optimal time for spraying is between 9-10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. during which dew and high temperatures are avoided, ensuring the best spraying effect.
Concentration of Pesticides
- Fruit trees are more sensitive to pesticides during their growth stages. Excessive concentration can lead to pesticide damage, while low concentration can reduce the control effect. Therefore, it is important to strictly control the concentration of pesticide mixtures. Consider the sensitivity of fruit trees to pesticides, and use appropriate types and concentrations of pesticides. For example, Bordeaux mixture is commonly used on apples, pears, and grapes, but peach trees are more sensitive to it and it is generally not used on peach trees. Therefore, it is necessary to understand their characteristics and prepare the pesticide mixture accordingly.
Spraying Operation
- During the hot summer, many workers, in pursuit of temporary comfort, neglect any protective measures when spraying pesticides, and some even do it shirtless. This greatly increases the risk of skin absorption of pesticides and poisoning.
Therefore, in summer, it is advisable to use autonomous crop protection machinery with pre-set routes instead of manual labor, achieving a complete separation between humans and pesticides. This not only ensures the quality of pesticide application but also avoids the risks of poisoning from manual spraying.
At the same time, when spraying pesticides on fruit trees, it is essential to ensure uniform coverage. In summer, fruit trees have dense branches and leaves, and pests can hide easily. Therefore, the spraying must evenly cover both the fruit and leaf surfaces. Additionally, it is important to focus the spraying on the habitats of pests based on their habits.