First assessments of fixed spray application systems in narrow-wall apple orchards

Recently in some Italian fruit growing areas is endorsing a growing interest in fixed spray application systems. In 2014 on an apple orchard trained in narrow-wall, two experimental plots were arranged with specific sprinklers for localized application on the row. Using tartrazine as a tracer those installations were compared for deposits obtained on vegetation and losses wide near the rows including a tower sprayer in the comparison. Despite a greater homogeneity of deposition along the profile of the plant and along the row in the case of the tower sprayer, the fixed spray systems, however, have allowed reduction of the extension of the area affected by losses of liquid in the vicinity of the row and ensure a sufficient, but less homogeneous deposit. During 2015 treatments vs scab and powdery mildew have been applied with the two types of fixed systems and first efficacy results seem to be encouraging