What exactly is a pesticide adjuvant? How to use it correctly? finally understood!

Pesticide adjuvant

It is an auxiliary substance added during the processing or use of pesticide preparations to improve the physical and chemical properties of the pesticide, also known as pesticide adjuvant. The adjuvant itself has basically no biological activity, but it can affect the control effect.

There are many varieties of pesticides, different physical and chemical properties, and different formulation processing requirements, so the required auxiliaries are also different.

Filler or carrier solid pesticide formulation

Solid inert minerals, plants or synthetic substances added to adjust the content of the finished product or improve the physical state during filler or loading processing. Commonly used are attapulgite, diatomite, kaolin, clay and so on. Its function is to dilute the original drug, and the second is to adsorb the original drug. Mainly used for making powder, wettable powder, granule, water dispersible granule, etc.

solvent

Organic substances used to dissolve and dilute the active ingredients of pesticides to facilitate processing and use. Commonly used are xylene, toluene, benzene, etc. Mostly used for processing EC. It is required to have strong solvency, low toxicity, high flash point, non-flammability, low cost and wide source.

Emulsifier

For originally incompatible two-phase liquids (such as oil and water), one phase liquid can be stably dispersed in the other phase liquid with extremely small droplets, forming an opaque or translucent emulsion, which plays this role. The surfactants are called emulsifiers. Such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. It is mostly used for processing emulsifiable concentrate, water emulsion and microemulsion.

lubricant

Also known as wetting and spreading agent, it is a type of surfactant that significantly reduces the liquid-solid interfacial tension, increases the contact between liquid and solid surface, or increases the wetting and spreading of solid surface. Such as saponin, sodium lauryl sulfate, pull powder and so on. It is mainly used for the processing of wettable powder, water dispersible granule, water preparation and water suspension agent and as a spray auxiliary.

Dispersant

In the processing of pesticide formulations, it can prevent the aggregation of solid particles in the solid-liquid dispersion system, so that it can maintain a uniformly dispersed surfactant in the liquid phase for a long time. Such as sodium lignosulfonate, NNO, etc. Mainly used for the processing of wettable powder, water dispersible granule and water suspension agent.

Penetrant

Surfactants that can promote the entry of active ingredients of pesticides into treatment objects such as plants and harmful organisms are mostly used to formulate hypertonic pesticide formulations. Such as penetrant T, fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, etc.

adhesive

An adjuvant that can increase the adhesion of pesticides to solid surfaces. Due to the improved adhesiveness of the chemical, it is resistant to rainwater washing and improves the lasting effect. For example, an appropriate amount of mineral oil with high viscosity is added to the powder, and an appropriate amount of starch paste, gelatin, etc. is added to the liquid pesticide.

stabilizer

There are two categories: one can inhibit or slow down the decomposition of active ingredients of pesticides, such as antioxidants, anti-photolysis agents, etc.; the other can improve the physical stability of the formulation, such as anti-caking agents and anti-settling agents.

synergist

It has no biological activity by itself, but can inhibit the detoxification enzymes in the organism. When mixed with some pesticides, it can greatly improve the toxicity and efficacy of pesticides. Such as synergistic phosphorus, butoxide and so on. It is of great significance for controlling resistant pests, delaying drug resistance and improving control effect.

Safener

Compounds that reduce or eliminate herbicide damage to crops can improve the safety of herbicide use.

In addition, there are adjuvants such as foaming agents, defoaming agents, antifreeze agents, preservatives, and warning colors.

Pesticide spray adjuvants are divided into two categories

01

co-agent

Includes surfactants, wetting agents, oil-based, tackifiers and penetrants.

02

Special purpose spray adjuvant

Including buffers or acidifiers or pH changers, water conditioners, anti-drift agents, thickeners, admixtures.

Correct selection and use of pesticide spray adjuvants

1. Choose agricultural spray adjuvants specially developed for agriculture and forestry, such as agricultural silicone adjuvants, do not use industrial products or household detergents, washing powders, so as not to destroy the pesticide activity.

2. Many pesticide formulations already contain necessary adjuvants to improve the performance of pesticides, and generally do not use spray adjuvants.

3. Make sure that the spray adjuvant to be used has undergone a complete efficacy test, and the product in question or uncertainty should be tested in a small area before using it in a large area.

4. Specific pesticides require specific adjuvants, and adjuvants should be correctly selected when used.

5. The recommended pesticide adjuvants may change due to changes in formulations or changes in application technical procedures.

6. Pesticide spray adjuvants are not required under all spray conditions. A liquid dip test can be performed to test whether the spray liquid contains excess wetting agent.

7. Do a good job in the safety, compatibility and effectiveness records of pesticide mixing and preparation, including pesticide formulation, spray adjuvant, dosage, etc. Improper use or excessive use of spray adjuvants may reduce the efficacy or cause phytotoxicity. Carefully read the labels of pesticides and adjuvants to ensure that the selected adjuvants match the application site, target pests, equipment, and more importantly, the pesticides used.

The correct selection of pesticide spray adjuvant process

1. What is the target?

2. Read pesticide labels

a. Are there any recommended additives?

b, what type of adjuvant can be used for this pesticide?

3. Are there any additives needed?

a, no

Not recommended on pesticide labels

water quality can

best spray coverage

Suitable spray environment

No expert advice

b, yes

Read the spray adjuvant label

Active ingredients

Compatible with pesticides

Dosage

Whether the target is a weed or a crop

4. Penetrant

for herbicides

Assisted systemic herbicide

Resistant to rain wash

5. Super dispersant

reduce water usage

Improves penetration into plants

Ask for expert opinion

6. Wetting agent/spreading agent

For waxy/difficult-to-wet targets

Light damage to crops

Dosage forms may already contain wetting agents

7. Adhesive/Special agent

Rain for a few hours affects the efficacy of the medicine

for contact pesticides

Pre-harvest application may increase persistent color residues of pesticides

8. Buffers/acidulants

Lower the pH of the water

Buffered spray solution

Promote the compatibility of the mixed solution

9. Water softeners/admixtures

soften hard water

Purify dirty water

Improve pesticide compatibility