
16
SprayingProcedures
SPRAYINGINTRODUCTION
Thissection is intended tooffer practical guidelinesfor the distributionofliquid chemicals overan area of
turfgrass such as golf courses, park land, school grounds and lawns. SMITHCO makes no representation as to
the suitability of any technique or product for any particular situation. This section is suitable for self-propelled
sprayvehicles or sprayersmounted ontovehicles.
Boom Spraying is the most effective, accurate and efficient method of applying chemicals to large turf areas. It
may be done by means of:
• Adedicated sprayvehicle
• Asprayer mounted upona utility vehicle
Sprayersare typicallyequipped with wide spraybooms. Generally theseboomsare between 15feet (4.5 m)and
20 feet (6 m) in width. They are divided into three sections, with hinges that permit the long outer sections to
automatically move out of the way and reset if an obstacle such as a tree or fence is in you path.
To minimize the chance for missed areas or double application use a device to mark the outside boundaries of
eachspray swath. Foammarkersand dye markersare advisable.
TURFMANAGEMENT
Turfmanagement chemicalsare madefor fourgeneral purposes:
1. Fungicides: Preventor cure funguson turfgrass. Theyare made in2 general types:
• Systemic - Chemicals enter the plant system and protect or cure it of, fungus.
• Contact - Kills fungus with which it comes into contact.
2. Insecticides: Eliminate damaging insects and worms (such as grubs, beetles, ants, etc.)
3. Herbicides: Controland eliminateundesirableweeds andgrass fromturf areas andnon-turf areassuch
as bunkers, trails, fences, etc.
4. Nutrients & Fertilizer: Promotegrowth,beauty and color inturfgrass.
Some materials have to be applied so that they get into the soil below the plant leaves, This is called "soil appli-
cation". In order to do this, they are best applied with a large volume of water. They are often then watered-in
using the irrigation system. This type of chemical material includes systemic chemicals and chemicals de-
signed to destroy pests which live in the thatch and the soil.
Other materials must be applied to reach a problem that is present on the plant leaves. This is called “Foliar
Application”and requires alower volumeofwater.Instead ofirrigation water,these materialsare furtheractivated
by dry air and sunshine. They include contact fungicide and many herbicides.
The user of sprayers and chemicals must follow the directions provided with the spray material. It is the only
wayto insure safe andeffective results. It providesinformation on howmuchchemical and howmuch water is to
be applied to the area to be sprayed.
Though there are many types and sizes of nozzles, two specific types have proven most successful in turfgrass
management.
• The first type is target-directed. It sprays material in a direct line downwards to the target turfgrass.
Theseare flat fannozzles, commonly referredto asTeeJet nozzles.They areavailable in awide variety of
sizesfor any required dischargevolume rate. Theyarethe best formany contact orfoliarapplied pesti-
cides. They are spaced either 10" (25 cm) or 20" (51 cm) apart and overlap one another by about 1/3.
• Thesecond type usefulin turf managementarebroadcast typenozzles. They arecommonly referred to
asraindrop or floodjetnozzles. They spraya hollow-cone shapedpattern of muchlarger droplets whichfall
quickly to the turf under their own weight. They are best for systemic pesticides or any material requiring a
largevolume of waterforsoil application. Thelarger droplets arenotas subject todrift from windand are a
safer, more environmentallyfriendlychoice in manysituations.