The term Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) (spraying) is used in the context of pesticide application.
Ultra-low volume application of pesticides has been defined as spraying at a Volume Application Rate (VAR) of les than 5 L/ha for field crops or les than 50 L/ha for tree/bush crops[1]. VARs of 0.25 – 2 l/ha are typical for aerial ULV application to forest or migratory pests.
ULV spraying is a well-established spraying technique[2] and remains the standard method of locust control with pesticides and is also widely used by cotton farmers in central-southern and western Africa. It has also been used in massive aerial spraying campaigns against disease vectors such as the tse-tse fly.
A major benefit of ULV application is high work rate (i.e. hectares can be treated in one day). It is a good option if all (or some) of these conditions apply:
ULV equipment is designed to produce very small droplets, thus ensuring even coverage with low volumes. The equipment is based on aerosol, air-shear (mistblowers, exhaust gas sprayers) or better still, rotary nozzle techniques.[3] An electrostatic charge may be applied to the droplets to aid their distribution and impaction (on earthed targets), but commercial equipment is rare at present.