WEATHER CONDITIONS OF PONTAL OF PARANAPANEMA AND AERIAL SPRAYING OF PESTICIDES

Abstract

Aerial spraying of pesticides has increasingly become a topic for discussion about its viability and safety. If, on one hand, it is a tool for monetary gains and time reduction in agricultural sectors, conversely, exposes the entire crop area sprayed with agrochemicals to risk, due to drifting, which is nothing but the dragging of sprayed pesticides out of the target area, potentially reaching sensitive crop, native flora, watercourses, wildlifeand domestic animals, and people, directly related to the weather conditions at the time of aerospace operations. The present work aimed to analyze if the existing weather conditions in Pontal of Parapanaema, in the western region of the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil allow the possibility of using agricultural aviation for pesticides spraying. The analysis of the historical data from five meteorological stations located in or around this region, in comparison with the meteorological parameters listed in agrochemicals leaflets the sugarcane fields and by experts in the area, have pointed out that there are very few moments when aerial spraying of pesticides is possible, making it practically unfeasible to practice at Pontal of Paranapanema.