Adjuvant
A substance added to a pesticide spray mixture to improve the performance, physical properties, or biological activity of the active ingredient.
Также говорят: surfactant, sticking agent, spray additive, activator
Adjuvants are essential for overcoming plant surface barriers such as thick cuticles or trichomes. By reducing surface tension, they ensure better droplet spreading and adherence, which is critical for the efficacy of systemic herbicides and fungicides.
The use of adjuvants is highly recommended under challenging environmental conditions, such as high heat or low humidity, to minimize evaporation and enhance penetration. They help maintain the chemical's stability on the leaf surface, ensuring maximum uptake.
Common mistakes include improper mixing sequences in the spray tank and failure to verify product compatibility. It is vital to perform a jar test beforehand to ensure that the adjuvant does not cause physical incompatibility, such as flocculation or crystallization of the active ingredient.