The aim of spraying is to cover a zone of vegetation, a soil or a weed with a given mixture, under the most suitable conditions for protection or destruction. In addition to the agronomic considerations, spraying must take into account, to an ever greater degree, environmental constraints and safety of use.
The final objective of spraying includes optimization of the dose, in proportion to the plant cover, and limitation of drift (the quantity of spray mixture that misses its target). The loss of product may result in a transfer into the air and the soil.
Generally, targeted application (one side at a time) adapted to the stage of development of the vine limits the risk of drift, compared with “open” spraying (oscillating cannons or helicopters). Antidrip devices can also prevent the loss of mixture when the pressurised circuit is turned off.
In parallel, the need to protect users and avoid one-off pollution incidents calls for the training of personnel, an adaptation of practices and equipment (product storage, filling area, management of wash water). And food safety considerations also justify the traceability of treatments.