2.4 Data collection and analysis
1) Parameters of droplet deposition distribution
The parameters of droplet deposition distribution,
such as droplet coverage, droplet deposition density and
droplet size were analyzed by the image processing
software Image J.
Droplet coverage: The percentage of the chemical
area covered on the paper card.
Droplet deposition density: The number of droplet
deposition per unit area on the paper card.
Droplet size: That is, the length’s mean diameter
which is the sum diameter divided by the number of
particles.
2) Droplet deposition distribution uniformity
The coefficient of variation (CV) was used for
evaluating the uniformity of droplet deposition
distribution. The formula for calculating CV is:
where, S stands for the standard deviation; Xi is the
sample card’s droplet deposition density, the coverage
rate and particle size, respectively;X is the average value
of Xi; n is the total number of sampling cards.
3) Leaf area index (LAI)
CI-110 plant canopy analyzer with analysis software
was used for measuring the LAI of trees with different
types (natural round and open center shapes).
4) Statistical analysis
EXCEL software was used for data analysis and
diagrams drawing. SPSS17.0 software was used for the
variance and correlation analysis.