In our Ohio tree fruit spray guide, we still list the pesticide rate per 100 gallons of water. This is the rate that should be used if the grower needs to make a dilute application with either an airblast sprayer or a handgun sprayer. When a tank of pesticide is mixed at the dilute rate, the applicator should apply it to the trees until all parts of the tree are wet. This is what we call spraying to the point of runoff, that is, until water begins to drip off the leaves.
In many large commercial orchards, the only time that a dilute application is used is for sprays of superior oil in the delayed-dormant period in the spring, when the entire surface of the apple tree needs to be covered for good control of European red mite. In some smaller orchards, dilute applications are sometimes used throughout the growing season. Larger orchards usually are not treated with many dilute applications because they are more time-consuming.
Back | Forward | Table of Contents
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868