Development and Validation of a Sprayer-Based Software System for Drift Reduction and Dispersion Prediction

HighlightsSummarizes AGSprayOPT model development for ground sprayer simulations.Extends previously published modeling efforts to time-varying meteorology, wind speed/direction, and vehicle motion.Enables real-time (onboard) prediction of spray deposition and drift during ground sprayer field operations.Confirms model accuracy through comparison to spray trial data.Abstract.Under a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Small Business Innovation Research program, a sprayer-based software system for the prediction and prevention of undesirable spray drift during ground sprayer operations was developed. This software system, designated AGSprayOPT, is an extension of the modeling approach employed in the development, validation, and continued enhancement of the AGDISP/AGDISPpro family of models. While focused more specifically on ground sprayer operations, AGSprayOPT employs a more general drift and deposition prediction model with time-varying meteorology, spray path, and tractor/sprayer configuration. This article describes model development and comparisons with wind tunnel data, detailing a series of spray trials and subsequent model validation against these data. Keywords: AGDISP/AGDISPpro, AGSprayOPT, Field study, Ground sprayer, Simulation, Tractor/sprayer.