Growsafe Spray Application Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the standard NZ practice for preventing spray tank contamination between different products?
- Triple rinse the tank with clean water and dispose of rinsate appropriately (Correct answer)
- Simply drain the tank and refill with the new product
- Use a separate tank for each product permanently
- Add bleach to neutralise the previous chemical
Correct answer: Triple rinse the tank with clean water and dispose of rinsate appropriately
The standard practice is to triple rinse the spray tank with clean water between products to prevent cross-contamination. The rinsate should be disposed of according to the previous product's label directions.
Question 2: In NZ, what is the main advantage of using GPS guidance systems for agrichemical application?
- Prevents overlapping and missed strips, ensuring even coverage (Correct answer)
- Eliminates the need for Growsafe certification
- Removes the requirement for weather monitoring
- Allows spraying at night without restrictions
Correct answer: Prevents overlapping and missed strips, ensuring even coverage
GPS guidance systems prevent overlapping and missed strips during application, which ensures even coverage, reduces chemical waste, and minimises environmental impact from over-application.
Question 3: What does the term 'application rate' mean on a NZ agrichemical product label?
- The amount of product to be applied per unit area (e.g., litres per hectare) (Correct answer)
- The speed at which the sprayer should travel
- The concentration of active ingredient in the product
- The maximum number of applications per season
Correct answer: The amount of product to be applied per unit area (e.g., litres per hectare)
The application rate specifies the amount of product (or active ingredient) to apply per unit area — typically expressed as litres per hectare (L/ha) or kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) in New Zealand.
Question 4: Why should agrichemical spraying generally be avoided during the hottest part of the day in NZ?
- Increased evaporation reduces effectiveness and thermal updrafts increase drift (Correct answer)
- The chemical becomes more toxic in heat
- Equipment is more likely to malfunction in high temperatures
- Spraying during heat is an offence under NZ law
Correct answer: Increased evaporation reduces effectiveness and thermal updrafts increase drift
During the hottest part of the day, increased evaporation reduces the spray reaching the target, and thermal updrafts can carry fine droplets upward and away, increasing the risk of spray drift.
Question 5: What is a 'no-spray zone' in NZ agrichemical application?
- An area where agrichemical application is prohibited, such as near waterways, dwellings, or sensitive areas (Correct answer)
- A section of the spray equipment that does not produce spray
- An area that has already been treated and should not be re-sprayed
- A zone within the storage facility where mixing is prohibited
Correct answer: An area where agrichemical application is prohibited, such as near waterways, dwellings, or sensitive areas
No-spray zones are designated areas in NZ where agrichemical application is prohibited to protect sensitive environments, waterways, neighbouring properties, schools, and public spaces.
Question 6: According to NZ Growsafe, what should the operator do if spray equipment develops a leak during application?
- Stop spraying immediately, contain the leak, and clean up the spill according to the emergency plan (Correct answer)
- Continue spraying to finish the job and fix the leak later
- Increase the pump pressure to compensate for the leak
- Report it to the EPA within 30 days
Correct answer: Stop spraying immediately, contain the leak, and clean up the spill according to the emergency plan
If spray equipment develops a leak, the operator must stop immediately, contain the leak to prevent environmental contamination, and clean up any spill according to the site's emergency response plan.
Growsafe Spray Application Techniques 2
What is the standard NZ practice for preventing spray tank contamination between different products?