How to spray tomato plants effectively

Spraying your crop is expensive, so you have to get it right and ensure that both sides of the leaves are properly wetted, says Bill Kerr.

- Bill Kerr

Spraying tomatoes for pest and disease control is extremely important. It’s also extremely costly. The object is therefore to get the desired results at the lowest possible cost. Crop chemical prices have risen sky-high over the past months, so it will pay to relook at how well you are doing in this regard.

As I have often mentioned, it’s generally more economical to use a knapsack sprayer on young plants.

THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEAF

On occasion, I’ve been invited by farmers to see their spray rigs in action on a tomato land. The area is covered in fine droplets, the leaves are shiny from wetness, and the farmer is usually satisfied. But turn over one of these wet leaves, and you will often see that it is dry underneath.