Source: Farmer's Business Network
So, you’re ready to make an application. It’s time for an herbicide, insecticide or fungicide shot, and you want to ensure you’re getting the most out of every droplet that leaves the sprayer.
Are you including an adjuvant in your tank mix? How do you know if you should?
An adjuvant is a non-pesticide product added to a spray tank mix that enhances the performance of the spray solution. They often improve characteristics - such as spreading, penetration or droplet size – or reduce application problems, thus increasing effectiveness. Examples of adjuvants include surfactants, oils, buffers, and defoaming agents.
Spray adjuvants can be categorized into two groups: Activator adjuvants and special purpose adjuvants.
1. Activator Adjuvants
Activator adjuvants improve the action of a pesticide product. These improvements encourage absorption and efficacy. Surfactants, oils and nitrogen-based fertilizers all fall into this category.
SURFACTANTS
Surfactants change the surface tension of a spray droplet. They make the area of pesticide coverage larger, increasing exposure to the chemical. These are useful when applying a pesticide to a plant with waxy or hairy leaves.
Some commonly used surfactants include:
- Nonionic Surfactants
- Compatible with most pesticides
- Help pesticide sprays penetrate plant cuticles
- Are recommended for most pesticides that require a surfactant
- Organo-silicone Surfactants
- Reduce surface tension, increase spreadability and improve rainfastness
OILS
Crop oils promote the penetration of a pesticide spray either through a plant's waxy cuticle. Two commonly used variations are:
- Crop oil concentrates (COCs) have the penetration of an oil with the spread of a surfactant. COCs are often used with post-emergence herbicides.
- Vegetable oil concentrates (VOCs), in many cases, have gone through a process called esterification, which results in a methylated seed oil (MSO). MSOs work similarly to COCs to increase penetration of the pesticide.
NITROGEN-BASED FERTILIZERS
Adding ammonium sulfate (AMS) or urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) to a spray mix has been shown to increase the efficacy of some herbicides. Many times, these are available in easier-to-mix liquid forms, which provide more consistent results.
2. Special Purpose Adjuvants
Special purpose adjuvants correct conditions that can affect the spray solution or application negatively. By controlling these factors, pesticide performance can be optimized. This group of adjuvants includes:
BUFFERS
Most pesticides perform best in slightly acidic spray water with a pH of 4.0 to 6.5. Those in solutions above pH 7.0 are at greater risk of breaking down. Buffers lower the pH of spray water and help stabilize it at a constant level.
CONDITIONING AGENTS
Hard water minerals can bind with active ingredients in some pesticides, decreasing pesticide performance. Water conditioners neutralize these minerals and protect the spray mix from this problem. Many conditioners will also include a buffer.
DEFOAMING AGENTS
Some pesticides can create foam in spray tanks, often because of the use of a surfactant or the spray tank agitation system. This can be reduced by adding a defoaming agent.
STICKERS
Stickers increase the ability of particles to stick to a surface, decreasing the amount of pesticide that washes off during irrigation or rain. They can also reduce pesticide evaporation and slow degradation of pesticides by UV rays.
DRIFT CONTROL AGENTS
Drift control agents improve the placement of pesticide sprays by increasing droplet size, a priority near sensitive sites or when conditions require caution.
FOAM MARKERS
When used with special equipment, these adjuvants produce foam to mark where a product was applied, helping avoid missed or overlapping areas.
TANK CLEANERS
Tank cleaners work with water and oil-soluble pesticides and are often recommended by pesticide labels.
But How Do You Know Which to Include in Your Mix?
Most pesticide labels will include a section to help you decide what type of adjuvants will help you get the most out of your application. They’ll utilize language such as “required,” recommended,” or “can be used” to help you understand which adjuvants are essential to your mix and which ones are optional.
For example, the label for Sharpen® herbicide indicates that for optimum burndown, an MSO plus an AMS or UAN must be used. It states that an NIS cannot be used as a substitute for the MSO; an AMS is specifically recommended when mixing with a glyphosate-based herbicide.
Before using any adjuvant, always read and follow the accompanying pesticide or other product label. Not all adjuvants are labeled for use in all states, and many adjuvants have crop specific recommendations as well. Violating these instructions is an illegal use of the pesticide and can result in crop damage or poor performance.