Measurement of Spray Deposit Amount Using Spectrophotometer and Food Dye as Tracer

Measurement of spray deposit is necessary for evaluation of a chemical application technology. However it is not easy and time consuming. A simple method for measuring the deposition amount of spray using a tracer and a spectrophotometer was developed. Various materials were tested to determine an adequate tracer. Food dye was selected as a tracer, because it was cheep and easily treatable. Using NIRS(Near Infrared Reflection Spectrophotometer), a regression curves between maximum absorbance of a solution and concentration of the tracer were obtained. Yellow food dye solution showed a peak of spectrum at 452 nm, and absorbance of peak showed a tendency to increase as concentration increased. Green or pink food dye were tested and judged to be good tracers. However, tracer concentration should not exceed certain limits in order to measure maximum absorption. Using spraying liquid with known tracer concentration and known amount of washing liquid, spray deposit amount on real targets on leaves could be estimated at less than 13% error level.