CHEMICAL APPLICATION WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION LEPA SYSTEM.

The multifunction irrigation system (MFIS) is a linear move irrigation system which was developed to utilize automated, programmable, dyanmic nozzle movement and uniform constant forward movement to achieve precise and efficient water and chemical application. Extensive spraying tests were conducted to evaluate chemical application with the MFIS using lithium salt solutions as tracers and analysis with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Irrigation application from the system is primarily by LEPA (Low Energy Precision Application). Data averaged over four crops (corn, cotton, sorghum and soybeans) revealed a two-fold coverage improvement for the dynamic nozzle movement over stationary application and four-fold coverage improvement over aerial application. Greenbug control tests in which Lorsban 4E insecticide was applied at different rates to grain sorghum by three different methods showed the effect of superior chemical coverage using the dynamic spray application technique.