| Rural Air Work of Moree
has introduced a new aerial application for suspension fertiliser into
Australia. They have taken up the challenge to operate and develop the
world wide patented system here with the eventual aim of franchising
to other operators.
The patented suspension application booms fitted to Rural Air Works
AT502B aircraft can apply 400 kg of solid nutrient per hectare in one
pass. Under development is a pump that will give even higher rates.
Products such as lime, gypsum, dolomite, reactive phosphate rock, elemental
sulphur and trace elements are ground to a 50-micron powder and combined
in a specially designed mixer. A typical suspension ratio is 300 litres
of water to one tonne of active nutrient and this is then pumped into
the aircraft.
The patented spray gear allows this very heavy suspension to be applied
without blocking the boom, as would occur with conventional spray gear.
Seeds and selenium chips can be added to the suspension with out blocking
the spray boom. And the system can apply large volumes of water —
400 litres per hectare compared to about 150 litres per hectare with
a conventional setup.
Other advantages of the system are:
• Uniform application pattern across the field;
• Finely ground nutrient particles react more rapidly with
the soil to allow quick plant response;
• Dust free application;
• On-site blending allows one pass application of the total
soil nutrient needs;
• Able to meet organic registration needs;
• No soil compaction;
• Use of high analysis nutrients reduces transport costs;
• Faster than ground application; and,
• Cost effectiveness.
The application system has been used in the 2002–03 cotton season
to apply finely ground gypsum, zinc and trace elements prior to planting.
Growers observed a number of differences between treated and untreated
areas. One grower thought that the gypsum treated area had a longer
irrigation interval than the untreated area. In all trials, there were
obvious visual differences prior to picking between treated and untreated
areas.
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