The soap dispenser can be mechanised. The pump action must be smooth with minimal restrictions in the suction and deliver lines to minimise damage to the eggs.

The unit we produce includes a steel frame, a 27 litre tank and a protective housing for the motor and pump.

The unit is easily moved from one vehicle to another and can be dropped into a quicktach linkage.

The motor and pump are mounted in a switchboard type box for easy access and maintenance.

The delivery tube is set up to dribble along a single row with the tip of the tubing running through the leaves.

The liquid comes out in splodges and dribbles.

Speeds up to 15 kmh are possible with this system covering one hectare in about 4 minutes (applying to rows 20 m apart).

Over the follow weeks the trichogramma will disperse through the crop.

1. Determine mls per hectare and total volume per mix

2. Mix in thickener

3. Mix in trichogramma

4. Distribute a mix within 2 hours.

1. Determine mls per hectare and total volume per mix

Measure the delivery rate of the pump in mls per minute. e.g 200 mls.

Determine the number of seconds it takes to cover a hectare given the width of bands through the crop and ground speed.

E.g. bands 20 m at 12 km/h = 150 seconds per hectare.

Determine the number of mls per ha. E.g 150 sec/ha x 200 mls/60secs = 500 mls/ha

Determine mix size. Say 20 litres will cover 40 ha.

At 12 ha per hour a 20 litre mix will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to apply.

2. Mixing the thickener

Add total required water to the mixing container. E.g 20 litres.

Add thickener gradually at 1.5 gram per litre (see table below for volumes), stir in.

Test for thickness. It needs to be thick but free flowing.

Add more thickener if necessary, a very small quantity at a time.

Note the total amount of thickener required per mix (easier for next time).

3. Adding the Trichogramma

If necessary, gently sieve the Trichogramma to remove clumps.

Determine the amount of Trich to add per mix.

e.g apply 2 grams trich/ha = 2 g x 20 ha = 40 grams per 20 litre mix.

The Trichogramma are packed in 5 or 10 gram lots.

(Otherwise, by volume, 3 ml/gm x 40 gm = 120 mls of Trichogramma by volume)

Slowly add the Trichogramma, stirring gently until eggs are evenly distributed in the liquid.

Ready to go.

4. Do not mix in any more Trichogramma than can distributed in 2 hours.

Water quality

Rain water
Thickener@1.5 gm/litre

Moderate salts bore water
Thickener@1.75 gm/litre

High salts bore water
Thickener@2.0 gm/litre