APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE CULTURE OF CAULIFLOWER: TESTING AN ELECTROSTATIC SPRAY

The control of pests and diseases is one of the major challenges in the cultivation of cauliflower due to the plant's morphological characteristics and low application efficiency. These adverse conditions can cause great productivity losses when there is an incidence of pests and diseases. On these aspects, this study aimed to evaluate an electrostatic spraying system to increase the efficiency of the application of pesticides in the cultivation of cauliflower. An experiment was carried out with the use of different sprays, isolated or associated with silicon adhesive fouling, referring to (i) the traditional spray; (ii) traditional spray + addition of silicone adhesive; (iii) electrostatic spraying; (iv) electrostatic spraying + addition of silicone adhesive. Results showed that the electrostatic spray system, isolated or associated with an adhesive spreader, promoted the greatest coverage in the low and medium part of the plants, considered 71% and 83% greater than the average of the traditional spray, respectively. At the bottom of the leaves, the electrostatic spraying system also performed better. Based on results, it was concluded that the electrostatic spraying system shows to be more efficient in the deposition and distribution of syrup in cauliflower, compared to the traditional spraying system.