Introduction
Agriculture is one of the oldest branches of human activity, while remaining at the center of technological innovation. From simple manual labor to automated and robotic systems, the industry is constantly adapting to changing conditions and requirements. However, despite all the technological breakthroughs, agricultural enterprises still face the problem of pests and plant diseases.
Pesticides have, for a long time, been the main tool in the fight against these threats. However, the use of pure pesticides does not always provide the desired effect. Often, in order to increase the effectiveness of pesticides, the addition of special substances known as adjuvants is required.
In this article, we dive into the world of adjuvants, exploring what they are, how they work, and why their use is becoming more and more relevant in modern agriculture. Our goal is to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the importance of adjuvants and to provide guidance on their effective use.
What are adjuvants?
Adjuvants are special additives that are used along with pesticides or herbicides to improve their effectiveness. They do not have pesticidal properties of their own, but they enhance the action of the base agent, making it easier to penetrate the plant or increase its adherence to the leaf surface.
Types of adjuvants:
- Surfactants (surfactants): These adjuvants reduce the surface tension of the liquid, which allows the sprayed pesticides to be evenly distributed on the leaf surface.
- Oil adjuvants: Usually made from vegetable or mineral oils. They form a film on the surface of the leaf, which prevents the evaporation of the pesticide.
- Drift Inhibitors: Reduce drift (unnecessary spread) of pesticides due to wind while protecting neighboring crops.
- Humectants: Help pesticides to penetrate the waxy layer on plant leaves, improving their effectiveness.
What are they needed for?
The use of pesticides without adjuvants can lead to a number of problems. Pesticides can be unevenly distributed, evaporate, or be quickly washed away by rain. Adjuvants help address these issues by improving the adhesion, penetration, and resistance of pesticides.
Safety of use:
Most adjuvants are safe for humans and the environment, but it is always important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use them correctly.
In conclusion, adjuvants play an important role in agriculture by increasing the effectiveness of pesticides and providing better plant care.
How do adjuvants work?
Adjuvants serve to enhance, modify or change the properties of pesticides or herbicides. They optimize the use of chemicals by improving their interaction with the target and eliminating various problems that can occur with the use of pesticides.
- Spreading Improvement: Adjuvants, especially surfactants, reduce the surface tension of droplets, which allows the liquid to spread evenly over the surface of the sheet.
- Enhancing penetration: Some adjuvants help pesticides to penetrate the waxy coat of plants or the surface of pests, providing a more effective effect.
- Rain protection: Oil adjuvants can create a protective layer on the surface of the plant, preventing rain from washing out the pesticide.
- Evaporation Rate Modification: Depending on the type, adjuvants can slow or accelerate the evaporation of the liquid after application, allowing the agent to act longer or faster.
- Drift Reduction: Adjuvants can change droplet size when sprayed, reducing the risk of pesticide being carried by wind to neighboring areas.
- Mixing with other agents: Some adjuvants provide better mixing of pesticides with other agents or fertilizers.
- Improved storage and stability: Adjuvants can prevent settling or separation of components in mixed pesticide solutions.
In general, adjuvants increase the effectiveness of pesticides by ensuring their optimal application and interaction with the target objects, which in turn can lead to a reduction in the application dose and reduced environmental impact.
Benefits of Using Adjuvants
- Improved application of pesticides: Adjuvants provide uniform coverage of plants, which improves the penetration and retention of the pesticide on the leaf surface. This, in turn, can reduce the amount of chemical needed.
- Saving Resources: With improved pesticide efficacy using adjuvants, farmers can reduce doses and applications, saving time and money.
- Less environmental impact: Optimizing pesticide application can result in less chemical waste entering the soil and waterways.
- Increase weather resistance: Some adjuvants can protect pesticides from degradation by ultraviolet radiation or rain.
- Addressing Specific Problems: Adjuvants can be designed to address specific problems, such as water hardness, which can interfere with the effectiveness of some pesticides.
- Improving performance: Adjuvants can reduce the risk of drift (pesticide carried by wind), prevent foaming when mixing, or improve mixing of different products.
- Reducing the risk of resistance: Proper use of adjuvants can help prevent or slow the development of pesticide resistance in pests.
In summary, the use of adjuvants provides agricultural producers with a number of advantages, allowing them to maximize the effectiveness of pesticides and reduce their negative impact on the environment.
Conclusion
Adjuvants play an important role in agriculture by enhancing the effectiveness of pesticides and herbicides. They help farmers control resistant weeds, reduce pesticide drift and make planting more economical. The use of adjuvants in combination with other agrochemicals can significantly improve the yield and quality of agricultural products.
