It is usually recommended to spray fertilizers and medicines for various crops mixed with a Non Ionic Adjuvant, especially a silica-based one.
An Adjuvant is added for the solution to spread well on whatever surface it is sprayed.
Usually, the sprayed solution remains as droplets on tender leaves and young leaves without sticking to them.
They fall down from the leaves even with a slight wind.
Due to this, the absorption of nutrients into the crops decreases.
This also causes a significant reduction in the activity of microbes that act as pesticides and fungicides.
It is recommended to add an Adjuvant to avoid such problems and to increase the effectiveness of what is being applied.
Recommended dose:
4 ml per liter of spray solution.
Therefore, even if it is not specifically mentioned from now on, farmers should add non-ionic adjuvant at the rate of 4 ml per liter of spray solution in all sprayings.
What is a non-ionic adjuvant used for in crop spraying?
A non-ionic adjuvant is added to a spray solution so that fertilizers and medicines spread well on the surface where they are sprayed. In this article, silica-based non-ionic adjuvant is especially recommended because it helps the spray solution avoid remaining only as loose droplets on tender and young leaves.
Why do farmers add adjuvant with fertilizers and medicines?
Farmers add adjuvant to avoid spray wastage and to increase the effectiveness of what is being applied. Without good spreading and sticking, the sprayed solution can remain as droplets and fall from the leaves, reducing nutrient absorption and lowering the activity of useful microbes used as pesticides and fungicides.
How much non-ionic adjuvant should be added per liter?
The recommended rate is 4 ml per liter of spray solution. Therefore, even if it is not specifically mentioned in future spray recommendations, farmers should add non-ionic adjuvant at this rate in all sprayings to improve spreading and effectiveness.
What happens if spray solution does not stick to tender leaves?
When the sprayed solution does not stick to tender leaves and young leaves, it remains as droplets. These droplets can fall down from the leaves even with a slight wind. Due to this, the absorption of nutrients into the crops decreases and the overall benefit of spraying becomes lower.
Does non-ionic adjuvant help microbial pesticides and fungicides?
Yes. The article notes that poor sticking of the spray solution causes a significant reduction in the activity of microbes that act as pesticides and fungicides. Adding an adjuvant helps avoid such problems by improving how the spray solution spreads on the plant surface.
Should non-ionic adjuvant be used in all sprayings?
According to the recommendation, farmers should add non-ionic adjuvant at the rate of 4 ml per liter of spray solution in all sprayings. This applies even when it is not specifically mentioned, because the purpose is to improve spreading, reduce droplet fall, and increase application effectiveness.
