Vegetables are a high input crop requiring multiple applications throughout the season. Nozzle selection is vital especially with the wide range of different shapes and surfaces that chemical is applied on. Herbicide application is often when the crop is small and therefor coverage is vital.

Herbicide Application

Timing	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Pre-emergence good seed bed	200	3D ninety alternating forward and back	3D ninety alternating forward and back	An AMISTAR nozzle produces 40 drops/cm2
Pre-emergence cloddy seed bed	200-400	3D ninety alternating forward and back	3D ninety alternating forward and back	Cloddy seedbeds reduce weed control. Even coverage on both sides of clod achieved with angled nozzles
Post-emergence soil applied	200-400	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08	AMISTAR nozzle	Narrow angle fan best for reducing spray retained on crop leaves
Graminicide	100-200	3D nozzle spraying forwards and backwards	AMISTAR nozzle	Angled sprays typically double the spray retained on grass weeds
Broad-leaved weeds	100-200	3D nozzle spraying forwards and backwards	3D ninety alternating forward and back	Increasing water volume increases droplet size reducing spray retention on crops such as alliums

Insecticide and Fungicide Application

Cabbage

Field trials have shown that tailored application advice will improve efficacy of products at different timings. For cabbages this is defined as when the crop are small and when they are hearted.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small open	100-200	AMISTAR nozzle	AMISTAR nozzle	Run-off is the enemy of small plants
Hearted	300-800	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08	AMISTAR nozzle

Brussels Sprouts

Recommendations vary depending on the size of the crop at the time of application. Early herbicides can be applied using conventional technology however the later fungicide applications can have their effect maximised on the buttons by the specific recommendations below.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small open	100-200	AMISTAR nozzle	AMISTAR nozzle	Run-off is the enemy of small plants
Large	300-500	Lechler ID3 120-05	Lechler ID3 120-05	For deposition onto the buttons and lower leaves we recommend Lechler ID3 120-05, 300 l/ha, consider using an approved adjuvant oil, especially when crops have significant wax

Onions

In onion crops it is important that the application method is right as crop coverage is vital, an angled spray is vital to get the best coverage possible.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small	100-200	3D ninety alternating forward and back	3D ninety alternating forward and back	Coverage, run-off and missing the target are the problems of onions. Angled nozzles increase coverage and deposition
Large	200	3D ninety alternating forward and back	3D ninety alternating forward and back	Using air induction nozzles increases droplet size and increases penetration and coverage deeper in the crop canopy. Consider using an approved adjuvant which can help increase coverage and deposition

Carrots

Carrot crops are easy to cover when they are small however it is very difficult to achieve good coverage of the crown using conventional technology, especially when the canopy is large.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small	100-200	3D nozzle or Syngenta potato nozzle 04 or 05	AMISTAR nozzle	Carrots are good at catching spray. Angling nozzles e.g. Twin Cap will give best results
Large	300-400	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08	65 degree fan the best for penetrating to crown

Lettuce

Lettuce crops move through the growth stages quickly it is important that you hit it at the right time and get the maximum coverage possible.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small open	100-200	AMISTAR nozzle	AMISTAR nozzle	Run-off is the enemy of small plants
Hearted	300-800	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08

Leeks

Leek crops can be hard to target with a large amount of run off meaning that high water volumes are vital.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small	100	3D nozzle, angle spray forwards and backwards	3D ninety alternating forward and back	Coverage, run-off and missing the target are the problems of leeks. Angled spray important. High volumes = run-off. If targeting thrips in shaft use the AMISTAR nozzle. The addition of an adjuvant also helps
Large	200-300	Syngenta potato nozzle 04 or 05	3D ninety alternating forward and back	Angle spray forwards and backwards

Cauliflower

Cauliflower crops change throughout the season with run off being the major concern it is important use the correct nozzle.

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small pre-curd	200-300	Syngenta potato nozzle 05	AMISTAR nozzle	Run-off is the enemy of small plants
Developing curds	200-300	Syngenta potato nozzle 05 or Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08	If leaves are the target use the potato nozzle, if curds are the target use the vegetable nozzle

Asparagus

Asparagus is a small target to hit in the field therefore accuracy is key make sure that the nozzles allow for maximum results. 

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Fern application	250-350	Twin Cap Syngenta vegetable nozzle and standard flat fan nozzle alternating or a dropleg sprayer with standard flat fan nozzle	AMISTAR nozzle	Keep water volume below 350 l/ha to avoid run-off

Courgettes

Courgettes come in a varying sizes and require optimum coverage of application as run off is a major concern. 

Growth stage	Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option	Notes
Small plants pre-fruit	200	Standard flat fan nozzle	AMISTAR nozzle	Run-off is the enemy of small plants
Large fruiting plants	200-300	Standard flat fan nozzle or Droplegs with standard nozzle	AMISTAR nozzle

Applications through fleece

Fleece covers the canopy of the crop meaning that any application needs to penetrate through the surface of the fleece in order to get to the target.

Water volume (l/ha)*	Best nozzle	Reduced drift option
300	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06	Syngenta vegetable nozzle 06 or 08

*Please refer to the product label for water volumes.  Growers can reduce water volumes as long as they adhere to the HSE/DEFRA Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products. Please refer to paragraph 4.6.4, page 81 of the HSE/DEFRA Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.