Method for low volume spray application

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of spraying a field with a carrier. The method comprises moving a carrier above plants in a field and spraying the plants with a liquid spray. The liquid spray comprises at least one agrochemically active ingredient and at least one adjuvant. The at least one adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of mono- and di-esters of sulfosuccinate metal salts with branched or linear alcohols comprising 1-10 carbon atoms, organosilicon ethoxylates, ethoxylated diacetylene glycols with 1-6 EO, and alcohol ethoxylates. The liquid spray is sprayed at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of liquid spray per area to be sprayed is less than 60 liters per hectare. The liquid spray is sprayed with a hydraulic nozzle and / or an atomizing disc, wherein, when the liquid spray is sprayed with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a volume median diameter (VMD) of at least 170 micrometers, and wherein, when the liquid spray is sprayed with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of at least 120 micrometers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for low volume spray application and a vehicle that can perform said method. BACKGROUND

[0002] The general background of the invention is a method for low volume spray application, in particular in the agricultural field, using vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

[0003] For many crop protection chemical and biological products used for spray application, good coverage of the target crop is important to have good control of diseases, pests and weeds. This is usually achieved by spray application of large volumes of water, typically > 100 to 5000 l / ha depending on the size of the leaf canopy. With these large volumes of water, good coverage of the target crop can usually be achieved. At the same time, it is important to reduce off-target spray to areas in the vicinity of the target field caused by drift, which is usually caused by fine droplets, in particular those with a diameter < 100 microns. At high spray volumes, this can be addressed by using coarse or low drift nozzles without impacting the coverage of the crop, as the coverage of the crop is achieved by the large volume of water. However, at low spray volumes, typically < 100 l / ha, this is not the case, as there is no longer sufficient amount of water to cover the crop leaf surface and the degree of coverage of the crop decreases significantly as the spray volume decreases. This is particularly true in the case of UAV spray application, where spray volumes equal to or less than 20 l / ha are common. This can be partially compensated by using fine sprays, in which a larger number of spray droplets are produced, resulting in a higher number of spray deposits per leaf. However, this has the disadvantage that a large number of < 100 micron driftable spray droplets are produced, resulting in high drift. Conversely, if a coarse spray is used, for example by a coarse spray nozzle, drift can be reduced, but the number of spray deposits per leaf can be significantly reduced, often resulting in a loss of biological performance.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a solution that combines a coarser spray droplet that exhibits low drift with a formulation that provides good canopy coverage on the target crop at low spray volumes. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above, it would be advantageous to have an improved device for low volume spray application. The object of the present invention is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the following described aspects and embodiments of the invention also apply to a vehicle configured to perform a method for low volume spray application.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a method of spraying a field with a vehicle is provided. The method comprises moving a vehicle above plants in a field and spraying the plants with a liquid spray. The liquid spray comprises at least one agrochemically active ingredient and at least one adjuvant. The at least one adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of mono- and di-esters of sulfosuccinate metal salts with branched or straight chain alcohols comprising 1-10 carbon atoms, organosilicon ethoxylates, ethoxylated diacetylenic diols with 1-6 EO and alcohol ethoxylates. The liquid spray is sprayed at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of liquid spray to be sprayed per area is less than 60 liters per hectare. The liquid spray is sprayed with a hydraulic nozzle and / or an atomizing disc, wherein, when the liquid spray is sprayed with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a volume median diameter (VMD) of at least 170 micrometers, and wherein, when the liquid spray is sprayed with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of at least 120 micrometers.

[0007] In other words, by the combination of spraying coarser spray droplets and the presence of specified adjuvants in the liquid spray, low drift and good plant canopy coverage for low volume spray applications can be achieved. The VMD value, also referred to as DV0.5, means that half of the volume of the liquid spray is present in droplets larger than this value.

[0008] In one embodiment, the at least one adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, polyalkyleneoxy-modified heptamethyltrisiloxane and ethoxylated diacetylenic diols with 1-6 EO.

[0009] In one embodiment, the liquid spray is sprayed at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of liquid spray to be sprayed per area is less than 40 liters per hectare, preferably less than or equal to 25 L / ha.

[0010] In other words, the method mainly relates to low volume spray applications and ultra-low volume applications.

[0011] In one embodiment, when the liquid spray is sprayed with a method having a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a volume median diameter (VMD) of at least 200 micrometers, and in particular at least 240 micrometers.

[0012] In one embodiment, when the liquid spray is sprayed with a method having an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of at least 135 micrometers, and in particular at least 150 micrometers.

[0013] In one embodiment, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of no more than 400 micrometers, particularly no more than 375 micrometers and more particularly no more than 350 micrometers; and wherein, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of no more than 350 micrometers, particularly no more than 325 micrometers and more particularly no more than 300 micrometers.

[0014] Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, there is an upper limit to VMD because above a certain droplet size, there is no longer a payoff in terms of low drift and good canopy coverage when applying with low spray volume. In particular, above a certain VMD limit, spray coverage and efficacy may decrease because in some applications there may not be enough droplets to adequately cover all treated plant surfaces.

[0015] In one embodiment, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.1 in the range of 115 micrometers to 170 micrometers; wherein, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.1 in the range of 80 micrometers to 120 micrometers.

[0016] Therefore, to achieve low drift, it is advantageous to have coarser liquid spray droplets. The DV0.1 value refers to the number of liquid spray volumes that are 10% in droplets smaller than this value.

[0017] In one embodiment, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.9 in the range of 400 micrometers to 560 micrometers; and when spraying a liquid spray using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.9 in the range of 230 micrometers to 520 micrometers.

[0018] Once again, coarser spray droplets reduce the risk of drift. A DV0.9 value indicates that 90% of the spray volume is in droplets smaller than that value (or 10% in droplets larger than that value).

[0019] In one embodiment, when the liquid spray is applied using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 micrometers is in the range of 59% to 70%; and when the liquid spray is applied using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 micrometers is in the range of 13% to 48%.

[0020] In one embodiment, when the liquid spray is applied using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 100 micrometers is in the range of 2% to 7%; wherein, when the liquid spray is applied using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 100 micrometers is in the range of 5% to 20%.

[0021] The volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 (or smaller than 100) micrometers is a drift parameter, which indicates the accessibility of fine driftable droplets.

[0022] In one embodiment, the concentration of the at least one adjuvant in the liquid spray ranges from 5 to 200 g / L, preferably 10 to 150 g / L, and most preferably 10 to 130 g / L.

[0023] In one embodiment, a liquid spray is applied to a plant with textured leaves.

[0024] In one embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

[0025] According to a second aspect, a vehicle is provided configured to perform the methods discussed in the first aspect. In one embodiment, the vehicle is a UAV.

[0026] Advantageously, the benefits provided by any of the above aspects also apply to all other aspects, and vice versa.

[0027] The above aspects and embodiments will become apparent and clarified with reference to the implementation schemes described below. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the following figures:

[0029] Figure 1 The diagram shows a comparison of liquid spray deposition on soybeans using the method of the present invention, with reference (conventional) liquid spray (formula 1) and liquid spray according to the present invention (formula 2). Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention relates in a first embodiment to a method of spraying a field with a vehicle, the method comprising: moving the vehicle above plants in the field and spraying the plants with a liquid spray; wherein the liquid spray contains at least one agrochemically active ingredient and at least one adjuvant; wherein the at least one adjuvant is selected from monoesters and diesters of sulfosuccinic acid metal salts and branched or straight-chain alcohols containing 1-10 carbon atoms, organosilicon ethoxylates, ethoxylated diethynyl alcohols having 1-6 EO atoms, and alcohol ethoxylates; wherein the liquid spray is performed at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of liquid spray per unit area to be sprayed is less than 60 liters per hectare; wherein the liquid spray is performed using a hydraulic nozzle and / or an atomizing disc; wherein when the liquid spray is performed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter (VMD) of at least 170 micrometers; wherein when the liquid spray is performed using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of at least 120 micrometers.

[0031] In one embodiment, the term "field" refers to agricultural land in which a variety of plants are planted, grown, and harvested.

[0032] In one embodiment, the term "vehicle" refers to a tractor with a boom sprayer, an orchard sprayer, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including unmanned aircraft and single-rotor unmanned helicopters, a robotic device, an aircraft, a helicopter, or a tractor equipped with a boom sprayer with pulse width modulation (PWM).

[0033] In one embodiment, the atomizing disc is a rotating disc.

[0034] In one embodiment, the term "plant" refers to crop plants and / or weed plants.

[0035] In one embodiment, the term "plant" refers to a variety of plants on farmland.

[0036] In one embodiment, if the liquid spray contains an agriculturally active ingredient that is a fungicide and / or insecticide, the liquid spray is preferably applied to crop plants.

[0037] In one embodiment, if the liquid spray contains an agriculturally active chemical ingredient that is a herbicide, the liquid spray is preferably applied to weed plants.

[0038] In one embodiment, the at least one agrochemically active ingredient is a chemical and / or biological fungicide, insecticide, herbicide, and / or safener.

[0039] In one embodiment, the liquid spray contains at least one agrochemically active ingredient and at least one adjuvant, and may further contain a solvent such as water.

[0040] In one embodiment, at least one adjuvant in the liquid spray is selected from monoesters and diesters of sulfosuccinic acid metal salts and branched or straight-chain alcohols containing 1-10 carbon atoms, particularly alkali metal salts, more particularly sodium salts, and most particularly sodium dioctyl succinate sulfonate; and organosiloxane ethoxylates, such as organically modified polysiloxane / trisiloxane alkoxylates having the following CAS numbers 27306-78-1, 67674-67-3, 134180-76-0, for example... L77, 408, 806, S240, S278.

[0041] Other suitable spreading agents are ethoxylated diethynyl alcohols having 1-6 EO atoms, for example... 420 and 440.

[0042] Other suitable spreading agents are ethanol ethoxylates, for example Vibrant.

[0043] Preferred is polyoxyalkylene-modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, more preferably selected from the group containing siloxane groups: poly(oxy-1,2-ethylenediyl), α-methyl-ω-[3-[1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]disiloxyl]propoxy](CAS No(27306-78-1), poly(oxy-1,2-ethylenediyl), α-[3-[1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]disiloxyl]propyl]-ω-hydroxy (CAS No67674-67-3), and ethylene oxide, methyl-, polymers having ethylene oxide, mono-3-1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-(trimethylsilyl)oxydisiloxylpropyl ether (CAS No 134180-76-0).

[0044] In one embodiment, the liquid spray may contain additional formulation additives, such as surfactants, rheology modifiers, defoamers, antifreeze agents, biocides, colorants, pH adjusters, buffers, stabilizers, antioxidants, inert fillers, humectants, crystal growth inhibitors, micronutrients, etc.

[0045] In one embodiment, formulations that can be used as the basis for the liquid spray of the method include SC, SE, EW, OD, WG, WP, EC, DC, ME, MC, and SL.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the at least one adjuvant is selected from sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, polyepoxide-modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, and ethoxylated diethynyl glycol having 1-6 EO atoms.

[0047] In one embodiment, the at least one adjuvant is selected from the group of adjuvants disclosed in Table I, which includes the Examples section.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the liquid spray is applied using the method at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of liquid spray applied to each area to be sprayed is less than 40 liters per hectare, preferably less than or equal to 25 L / ha.

[0049] According to one embodiment, when spraying liquid using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter (VMD) of at least 200 micrometers, and particularly at least 240 micrometers.

[0050] According to one embodiment, when spraying liquid using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets with a VMD of at least 135 micrometers, particularly at least 150 micrometers.

[0051] It should be noted that the terms “atomized” or “misting” do not mean a single atom, but rather relate to the standard usage of the term in spray systems, meaning fine mist particles that can be distributed in a range of sizes.

[0052] In one embodiment, the term "atomizing disc" refers to a flat atomizing disc, but also includes a conical atomizing disc.

[0053] According to one embodiment, when spraying liquid using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of no more than 400 micrometers, particularly no more than 375 micrometers and more particularly no more than 350 micrometers;

[0054] Furthermore, when spraying liquid using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a VMD of no more than 350 micrometers, particularly no more than 325 micrometers and even more particularly no more than 300 micrometers.

[0055] According to one embodiment, when spraying liquid using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.1 in the range of 115 micrometers to 170 micrometers;

[0056] When spraying liquid using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.1 in the range of 80 micrometers to 120 micrometers.

[0057] According to one embodiment, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.9 in the range of 400 micrometers to 560 micrometers;

[0058] When spraying liquid using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.9 in the range of 230 micrometers to 520 micrometers.

[0059] According to one embodiment, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 micrometers is in the range of 59% to 70%.

[0060] When the liquid spray is applied using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 micrometers is in the range of 13% to 48%.

[0061] According to one embodiment, when spraying a liquid spray using a method with a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 100 micrometers is in the range of 2% to 7%.

[0062] When the liquid spray is applied using a method with an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 100 micrometers is in the range of 5% to 20%.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the concentration of the at least one adjuvant in the liquid spray ranges from 5 to 200 g / L, preferably 10 to 150 g / L, and most preferably 10 to 130 g / L.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a liquid spray is applied to a plant with textured leaves.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

[0066] In a second embodiment, the present invention relates to a vehicle configured to perform the method according to the first embodiment.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the vehicle is a UAV.

[0068] It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to different subjects. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method-type claims, while others are described with reference to vehicles. However, those skilled in the art will conclude from the above and below that, unless otherwise stated, any combination of features relating to different subjects, except for any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, is also considered to be disclosed in this application.

[0069] While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail in the specification and embodiments section, such description and illustration should be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. By studying the drawings, embodiments section, disclosure, and dependent claims, those skilled in the art will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention.

[0070] In the claims, the words "comprising" or "including" do not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plural. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that a combination of these measures cannot be used for an advantageous purpose. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0071] Examples and Materials

[0072] Table I shows the preferred adjuvants for use in the liquid spray of the present invention.

[0073]

[0074]

[0075]

[0076] Example 1: UAV spray application with atomizing disc (rotating disc):

[0077] The reference formulation (Formulation 1) and the example formulation of the present invention (Formulation 2) shown in Table II were sprayed using an XAG P20 UVA with a rotating disc atomizer, with droplet application size (VMD) selected as 95, 150, and 235 micrometers. The spray volume was 8 l / ha, the formulation rate was 0.5 l / ha, and the flight height was 2 m. The spray liquid was sprayed onto rice (results shown in Table III) and soybean crops (results shown in Table IV). A fluorescent tracer was added to the spray liquid to enable the sediments to be identified by UV fluorescence imaging. Leaf sections were placed on a horizontal plate and imaged under UV irradiation. The coverage and sediment size of the images were analyzed using ImageJ software (www.fiji.com).

[0078] Table II: Formulations of the tested SC products

[0079]

[0080]

[0081] SC (Suspension Concentrate) formulations 1 and 2 were prepared using the standard SC preparation method. Tebuconazole was wet-milled in a bead mill to form a slurry containing all formulations except xanthan gum, Silwet, GeroponDOS-PG, and a portion of water. Xanthan gum was prepared as a separate 2% gel and, after milling, added to the slurry along with Silwet and GeroponDOS-PG under stirring.

[0082] The experimental results shown in Tables III and IV below indicate that when applied with small-sized spray droplets, the formulation of the present invention (Formulation 2) exhibits higher leaf coverage, and when the spray droplet size increases to 150 and 235 micrometers (VMD), Formulation 1 (Reference) shows a decrease in coverage, while Formulation 2 (of the present invention) shows an increase in coverage. The same effect was observed for the average sediment size. Images of sediment on soybean leaves are shown below. Figure 1 As shown.

[0083] Table III: Coverage data of Formula 1 and Formula 2 applied to rice crops via UAV equipped with a rotating disc atomizer.

[0084]

[0085] Table IV: Coverage data of soybean crop plants when Formula 1 and Formula 2 are applied via UAV equipped with a rotating disc atomizer.

[0086]

[0087] For the XAG P20 UAV, various droplet size parameters were obtained from Table 3 of G. Wang et al. / Science of the Total Environment 737(2020)139793. This data supplemented the data generated in Example 1 and is shown in Table V below. As shown in the table, variations in the rotational speed (rpm) of the rotating disk adjusted the VMD (and other droplet size parameters).

[0088] Table V: Various droplet size parameters used for atomizing discs

[0089]

[0090] Table VI shows various droplet size parameters for different hydraulic nozzles. VMD (and other droplet size parameters) is adjusted by changing the nozzle type and by regulating the fluid flow pressure. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) developed a droplet size classification system (ASABE S-572.1) based on DV values ​​measured in micrometers, ranging from extremely fine to ultra-coarse. Nozzle selection and pressure can then be based on the nozzle manufacturer's droplet size category chart. Due to differences in the equipment and methods used to measure droplet size, different nozzle manufacturers may report different micrometer values ​​for the ASABE S-572.1 droplet size category.

[0091] Table VI: Various droplet size parameters for hydraulic nozzles

[0092]

[0093]

[0094] (The data can be determined by laser diffraction particle size sieving.)

Claims

1. A method for spraying water onto a field using a vehicle, the method comprising: The vehicle is moved above the plants in the field and sprayed with liquid. The liquid spray contains at least one agricultural chemical active ingredient and at least one adjuvant; The at least one auxiliary agent is selected from sulfosuccinic acid metal salts and monoesters and diesters of branched or straight-chain alcohols containing 1-10 carbon atoms, organosilicon ethoxylates, and ethoxylated diethynyl alcohols and alcohol ethoxylates having 1-6 EO atoms. The liquid spray is applied at a rate such that the volume of liquid spray applied per unit area is less than 40 liters per hectare. The liquid spray is applied using hydraulic nozzles and / or atomizing discs; When the liquid spray is sprayed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of at least 170 micrometers. When the liquid spray is applied using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of at least 120 micrometers.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary agent is selected from sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, polyepoxide-modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, and ethoxylated diethynyl glycol having 1-6 EO atoms.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid spray is applied at a liquid spray rate such that the volume of the liquid spray to be sprayed per unit area is less than or equal to 25 L / ha.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid spray is applied using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of at least 200 micrometers.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid spray is applied using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of at least 240 micrometers.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of at least 135 micrometers.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of at least 150 micrometers.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid spray is applied using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of no more than 400 micrometers. as well as When the liquid spray is applied using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of no more than 350 micrometers.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of no more than 375 micrometers.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of no more than 350 micrometers.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of no more than 325 micrometers.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a median volume diameter of no more than 300 micrometers.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid spray is applied using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.1 in the range of 115 micrometers to 170 micrometers. When the liquid spray is applied using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.1 in the range of 80 micrometers to 120 micrometers.

14. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.9 in the range of 400 micrometers to 560 micrometers; When the liquid spray is applied using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets having a DV0.9 in the range of 230 micrometers to 520 micrometers.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 micrometers is in the range of 59% to 70%. When the liquid spray is applied using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 150 micrometers is in the range of 13% to 48%.

16. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the liquid is sprayed using a hydraulic nozzle, the hydraulic nozzle is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 100 micrometers is in the range of 2% to 7%. When the liquid spray is applied using an atomizing disc, the atomizing disc is configured to spray droplets in which the volume percentage of spray droplets smaller than 100 micrometers is in the range of 5% to 20%.

17. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the concentration of the at least one adjuvant in the liquid spray ranges from 5 to 200 g / L.

18. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the concentration of the at least one adjuvant in the liquid spray is in the range of 10-150 g / L.

19. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the concentration of the at least one adjuvant in the liquid spray is in the range of 10-130 g / L.

20. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid spray is applied to a plant having textured leaves.

21. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The vehicle in question is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

22. A vehicle configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-21.

23. The vehicle according to claim 22, wherein, The vehicle in question is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

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