Which type of nozzle should I use?

Deflector, FloodJet, Anvil, Reflex and Polijet nozzles all use the same basic nozzle design. Make sure you use the correct nozzle chart as some nozzles differ in how the flow rate and swath width varies with height. 

Pesticide type: Use to apply herbicides. Drop size/spray quality: "Medium" to "Very Coarse". 

Risk of drift: Lower. Spray pattern and spray distribution:

Spraying techniques/situation:

Notes Nozzle opening is large and does not block easily. 

Wide spray swath at low pressures enables higher work rates. 

Robust nozzle that can be used to spray a range of swath widths and used at low pressure.

Pesticide type: Can be used with selective herbicides, insecticides or fungicides. 

Drop size/spray quality: "Fine" to "Coarse". Risk of drift: Medium to high. 

Spray pattern and spray distribution:

Spraying techniques/situation: 

Even flat fan nozzles are used to spray insecticides or fungicides downward onto row crops and to spray herbicides downwards inter-row or to spray a band (or strip) of land before planting. They are not generally used for broadcast spraying. 

If using flat fan nozzles on a miniboom, take care that there are no gaps between swaths and that swaths do not overlap.

Pesticide type: Use to spray fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. 

Drop size/spray quality: "Fine" to "Coarse". 

Risk of drift: Medium to high. Consider using low drift standard flat fan nozzle. 

Spray pattern and spray distribution:

Spraying techniques/situation: 

Use a single standard flat fan nozzle (or a set of standard flat fan nozzles on a mini-boom) for broadcast spraying herbicides, fungicides or insecticides. A single nozzle can be used to spray insecticides/fungicides laterally and upwards to crop rows or stand-alone plants. Take care to overlap swaths to achieve an even spread of spray drops. 

Notes 

Do not use for single rows or bands of crops/soil (as the spread of drops and the dose will be uneven). 

Designed to be used for downward spraying with mini-booms to apply an even spray distribution from 1 to 4 meters across.

Pesticide type: Use to spray contact and systemic insecticides and fungicides onto plants. 

Drop size/spray quality: "Fine" to "Medium". 

Risk of drift: High to very high when spraying laterally or upwards. Spray pattern and spray distribution:

Spraying techniques/situation: 

Hollow cone nozzles can be used for spot spraying, over-row spraying downwards, crop row spraying laterally, spraying upwards. Use hollow cone nozzles in sets on a mini-boom to broadcast spray downwards or to treat spaced rows. When broadcast spraying make sure that there are no gaps between swaths and that swaths do not overlap. Use hollow cone nozzles in clusters on a lance to increase the spray volume. These nozzles can be pointed in many directions so that spray can be projected where it is needed, depending on the height and shape of the plant being sprayed. 

Notes 

Used to get good spread and cover of drops on leaves of trees, bushes and many crops, as nozzle produces and directs large numbers of small drops at many angles. These drops are more likely to hit and stay on leaves growing on the edges of the canopy as well as hidden leaves within.

Pesticide type: Use to spray systemic insecticides and fungicides onto plants or spot spray weeds with herbicides. 

Drop size/spray quality: "Medium". Usually sprays larger drops than hollow cone nozzles. 

Risk of drift: Medium when spraying downwards. High when spraying laterally or upwards. 

Spray pattern and spray distribution:

Spraying techniques/situation: 

Downwards, lateral and upward spraying of systemic insecticides and fungicides and spot spraying herbicides. 

Notes

The direction of drops can be more easily controlled when spraying. 

Can be used to spray larger drops at lower pressures than the hollow cone nozzle. 

Nozzle is often made in two parts to make it easier to clean.

Pesticide type: Most pesticide labels do not advise the use of adjustable nozzles. In the past, adjustable nozzles were used for leaf applied, contact and systemic insecticides and fungicides. These nozzles are rarely used for herbicides. 

Drop size/spray quality: "Fine" to "Coarse". 

Risk of drift: High risk if set to emit fine spray. Low risk if set to emit coarse spray. 

Spray pattern: Solid jet of liquid to circular (hollow cone) pattern. Varies by setting. 

Spraying techniques/situation: Laterally and upwards. Used less often for spraying pesticides. 

Notes 

Not recommended for professional spraying. 

Flow rate, drop size and spray pattern vary by turning the nozzle body. A solid stream of liquid and a fine spray are all possible. 

Often used on sprayers designed for the amateur gardener and the limited range of pesticides that amateur users have access to.

Use "low drift" nozzle to help you to avoid spray drift. Check your pesticide label for advice on managing spray drift. Where possible:

• use a nozzle that produces larger drops
• use your knapsack sprayer at lower pressures to produce larger drops
• use spray shields and guards to protect the spray drops from any wind that might cause them to drift.

Pesticide type: Consider using low drift standard flat fan nozzles to spray selective and non-selective, contact and systemic herbicides. Check your pesticide label and seek expert advice. 

Drop size/spray quality: "Coarse" or "Very Coarse". 

Risk of drift: Compared to standard flat fan nozzles, 75%+ drift reduction is possible. 

Spray pattern and spray distribution: 

The spray pattern of a low drift fan nozzle has more drops at the center of the swath and produces swath widths of 0.5 to 1 meter. The swath width will vary with the nozzle height. Spray volumes are lower at the edges of the swath. Use in sets on a mini-boom so that the spray patterns overlap and produce a uniform spread of spray drops. 

Spraying techniques/situation: 

Use singly or as a matching set on a miniboom to spray downward. Take care to overlap swaths to achieve an even spread of spray drops. Check your pesticide label or product supplier for more details particularly if you are planning to spray crops with insecticides or fungicides. 

Notes 

Designed to be used for downward spraying using a boom Can be used on a mini-boom to apply an even spray distribution from 1 to 4 meters across. 

Schemes that assess and rate low drift nozzles include the UK's LERAP (Local Environment Risk Assessment for Pesticides). The TOPPS database lists many LERAP rated low drift nozzles. As from 02.12.2013, low drift nozzles that can be used on knapsack sprayers for downward spraying include: ASJ ARAG Standard Fan Air Nozzles, 1105 at 2 - 5 bar, Albuz, AVI 11002 at 3 to 5 bar, Billericay, Bubblejet 02 at 2 - 2.5 bar, Hardi, ISO F-110 05 at 1.5 to 3.0 bar, Hypro Guardian Air, Finer Air-induction Nozzles, 110--15 at 1.3 - 2 bar, Lechler IDK, 120-03 at 1.0 bar, Spraying Systems AIC TeeJet 110-02 at 3.0 bar.