Laboratory sprayer for testing of microbial biocontrol agents: design and calibration

Abstract The lack of commercially available low-cost laboratory spraying equipment for testing microbial control agents can hinder advancement in the field of biocontrol. This study presents an inexpensive, portable sprayer that is calibrated utilizing laboratory consumables. The computer aided design files are made available so that it is freely modifiable and can be used for machine routing or 3D printing. Bioassay data was obtained by spraying Myzus persicae with spores of entomopathogenic fungi. Observed variation in droplet deposition within tested pressure and volume settings, and spore deposition within sprayed concentrations were low. Bioassay results show reproducible mortality for the tested doses.