Adjuvants are products that are added to pesticide spray mixtures to increase their effectiveness or improve the physical properties of the mixture. These products are either already part of the pesticide formulation or are added by the applicator during the spraying process. They can reduce or eliminate a wide range of spray application problems, such as drift and evaporation. They can also help the product stick to surfaces and stay in place on plant roots. Activator adjuvants enhance the activity of a spray by boosting its performance. They can improve coverage, increase absorption or penetration of the pesticide, and promote a more consistent application. They also reduce spray drift, which can cause damage to crop and other property. They can be used with oil-soluble and water soluble pesticides.
Pesticide Adjuvants are usually included as part of the formulated product or added to a mixture before it is applied. They help the pesticide do its job and stay on target. These are most commonly nonionic surfactants or surface-acting agents that spread and flatten spray droplets on a leaf to facilitate penetration. They are also sometimes antifoaming agents that lower the surface tension of a spray solution, which reduces foam development. Silicone adjuvants are highly effective emulsifiers that allow oil and water solutions to mix easily. They also alter the solubility relationships of spray solutions that greatly increase pesticide absorption. Defoaming adjuvants help make the pesticide spray liquid less dense and water-soluble, allowing it to be more easily dissolved by crop plants. They also reduce evaporation and decrease the amount of the pesticide that is washed off during rain. They improve pesticides ability to penetrate in a crop’s leaves or slow a pesticide’s degradation. They are often part of a premixed product that both spreads and sticks to the target surface. When using a defoaming adjuvant, it is important to follow the label recommendations. Depending on the type of pesticide, specific types and brands of adjuvants may be recommended. Pesticides are formulated as liquids, powders or granules and require various additives to ensure that they are properly dispersed for application onto a pest and/or an agricultural substrate. Such formulations include solvents, emulsifiers and wetting agents as well as other products for controlling the formation of a spray deposit, enhancing dilution properties, defoaming and stabilising the preparation. Special-purpose adjuvants are used in the manufacturing of these pesticide formulations and in tank-mixing applications. They are listed on an 'Official List', which states the conditions of use that may be applied to the adjuvant. Activator Pesticide Adjuvants contains surfactants that help to activate pesticides, especially when they have been mixed with a systemic insecticide or herbicide. They also increase a pesticide’s ability to stick to the target surface, which reduces the amount of the pesticide that washes off during irrigation or rain and limits the movement of systemic pesticides into the plant. These adjuvants can also be used to help volatile pesticides become less volatile, thus reducing odor, drift, and waste. However, these products can also cause surface deposits on foliage and clog spray nozzles, so they should only be used in outdoor situations and after reading the label for compatibility and phytotoxicity information. Adjuvants may be included as part of the inert ingredients on the label of the pesticide or purchased separately and added to a spray tank mix prior to applying the product. As with all other chemicals used on the farm, pesticide adjuvants have their own regulatory issues. These issues include the use of foreign substances, chemical reactivity, and potential risks to the environment.
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