ISO 22522:2007

Overview

ISO 22522:2007 - Crop protection equipment: Field measurement of spray distribution in tree and bush crops specifies standardized procedures for measuring the volume or mass of spray deposits applied by ground sprayers to tree and bush crops. The standard covers deposit measurements on target structures (leaves, fruits, artificial targets) and ground losses, and defines trial design, sampling strategies and data-reporting requirements to enable reliable comparison between field experiments and laboratory tests.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: field measurement of spray deposit (absolute and distribution); not a spray drift standard but can be combined with ISO 22866 for airborne drift/mass-balance studies.
• Test elements: use of tracers in spray liquid, measured sprayer passes at known forward speed, and collectors/targets for canopy and ground.
• Sprayer description: manufacturer, model, travel speed, overall liquid flow rate; nozzle characteristics and positions; working pressure; droplet size metrics (Dv10, Dv50, Dv90) and measurement method.
• Air-assisted sprayers: fan type, PTO speed, rotation direction, deflector characteristics and airflow rates (per ISO 9898).
• Orchard description: crop/variety, age, training system, phenological stage, row spacing, tree height/width and canopy volume; optional leaf-area and density measurements.
• Sampling protocols: minimum three replications per plot; pre-spray blank samples; two sampling strategies - profile sampling (vertical profiles at ≤25 cm intervals for fine vertical distribution) and zone (volume) sampling (averaged deposits over canopy volumes).
• Sample handling: prompt collection after drying, storage in darkness and typically <4 °C, procedures to avoid cross-contamination and tracer degradation, and calibration against spray mixture samples.
• Supporting materials: use and description of artificial targets, collectors for ground loss, and reporting formats.

Applications

ISO 22522:2007 is practical for:

• Sprayer performance testing and design optimization
• Field trials for pesticide application efficiency and coverage studies
• Comparative evaluation of nozzle types, pressures and airflow settings
• Regulatory testing and dossier support where field deposition data are required
• Research in application technology, drift mitigation and spray mass balance

Who should use this standard

• Agricultural researchers and extension services
• Sprayer manufacturers and R&D teams
• Crop protection consultants and applicators aiming to validate application effectiveness
• Regulatory bodies assessing application practices and environmental exposure

Related standards

• ISO 9898 - Test methods for air-assisted sprayers for bush and tree crops
• ISO 10627-1 / ISO 10627-2 - Data sheets and component specifications for agricultural sprayers
• ISO 22866 - Field measurements of spray drift (complementary for airborne drift assessments)

Keywords: ISO 22522:2007, spray distribution, tree and bush crops, field measurement, crop protection equipment, sprayer settings, canopy sampling, ground losses, tracers.