Research Article

Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers

Volume: 40 Number: 1 April 28, 2026
TR EN

Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers

Abstract

Droplet formation in spray nozzles primarily depends on nozzle design, while droplet size is of critical importance in crop protection due to the varying optimal ranges required for different target pests. In practice, locally manufactured brass nozzles are commonly used in orchard and knapsack sprayers, largely because of their low cost. However, most of these nozzles are produced without undergoing any research and development process, and their ability to generate droplet sizes suitable for effective pest management has not been scientifically verified. The present study aimed to evaluate the spray characteristics of brass hollow cone nozzles with different designs, which are widely sold in the domestic market but lack technical data in the literature beyond orifice size. Four nozzles were tested: two with an orifice diameter of 1.5 mm and two with 1.2 mm. Each nozzle was operated at pressures of 300, 400, and 500 kPa, with three replications and a spraying duration of 60 seconds. Droplet size distributions were measured using a laser diffraction analyzer, and volumetric parameters DV0.1, DV0.5, DV0.9, together with span values, were recorded. The results showed that although flow rates closely matched theoretical expectations, droplet sizes varied significantly between nozzles of similar orifice diameters, indicating that internal design strongly influences spray performance. Notably, one nozzle consistently produced coarser droplets, while others generated finer sprays, and Relative Span values demonstrated clear differences in uniformity. These findings highlight that nozzle performance cannot be assessed based solely on nominal orifice size and emphasize the necessity of systematic evaluation to ensure effective pest control and minimize environmental risks.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that this study complies with ethical standards and academic integrity. No human or animal experiments were conducted, and no conflicts of interest exist.

Thanks

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the TAMTEST institution (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ankara, Türkiye) and its esteemed staff for their valuable technical support in the execution of this study, without providing financial funding.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biosystem, Precision Agriculture Technologies, Agricultural Machines

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 28, 2026

Submission Date

September 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 1

APA
İtmeç, M. (2026). Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 40(1), 181-189. https://doi.org/10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804
AMA
1.İtmeç M. Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers. Selcuk J Agr Food Sci. 2026;40(1):181-189. doi:10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804
Chicago
İtmeç, Medet. 2026. “Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers”. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences 40 (1): 181-89. https://doi.org/10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804.
EndNote
İtmeç M (April 1, 2026) Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences 40 1 181–189.
IEEE
[1]M. İtmeç, “Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers”, Selcuk J Agr Food Sci, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 181–189, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804.
ISNAD
İtmeç, Medet. “Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers”. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences 40/1 (April 1, 2026): 181-189. https://doi.org/10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804.
JAMA
1.İtmeç M. Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers. Selcuk J Agr Food Sci. 2026;40:181–189.
MLA
İtmeç, Medet. “Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers”. Selcuk Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, vol. 40, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 181-9, doi:10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804.
Vancouver
1.Medet İtmeç. Determination of Droplet Size Characteristics of Locally Manufactured Nozzles for Knapsack Sprayers. Selcuk J Agr Food Sci. 2026 Apr. 1;40(1):181-9. doi:10.15316/selcukjafsci.1779804

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