The effectiveness of a spray application does not depend solely on the choice of pesticide. Factors such as water quality, weather conditions, and the use of agricultural adjuvants directly influence the performance of the application. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn what agricultural adjuvants are, explore the main types, discover how to choose the best option for each situation, and understand the benefits they offer for increasing spraying efficiency and protecting crops.
What are agricultural adjuvants?
Agricultural adjuvants are substances added to the spray mixture to improve its physical, chemical, or biological properties.
In practice, they enhance the performance of pesticides and foliar fertilizers, making their application more efficient.
These products do not directly control pests, diseases, or weeds. Their function is to improve the distribution of the spray mixture, increase adhesion to the leaves, and promote the absorption of the active ingredients.
In addition, some adjuvants reduce spray drift, minimize evaporation losses, and help ensure better utilization of the applied products.
The Brazilian market is keeping pace with this growth. According to Kynetec, the sector generated R$ 2.9 billion in 2023, posting an average annual growth rate of 19% since 2015.
Soybeans account for about 56% of domestic demand, while the Midwest region accounts for approximately 41% of purchases. This scenario demonstrates the growing adoption of adjuvants as a tool to increase operational efficiency in the field.
With more precise applications and less waste, adjuvants help increase productivity, reduce costs, and make agricultural management more sustainable.
What are the different types of agricultural adjuvants?
There are different types of agricultural adjuvants, each designed to meet specific needs during spraying.
The choice depends on the crop, the product being applied, water quality, and environmental conditions at the time of application.
Learn about the main ones.
Surfactants
Surfactants are among the most widely used adjuvants in agriculture.
Its main function is to reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the droplets to spread more evenly across the surface of the leaves.
As a result, spray coverage increases and the adhesion of the spray mixture improves, enhancing application efficiency.
Mineral and vegetable oils
Oil-based adjuvants help reduce the evaporation of the spray mixture during application.
In addition, they promote the penetration of active ingredients into the waxy layer of the leaves, increasing their absorption.
For this reason, they are widely used in applications involving herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
Defoamers
While preparing the syrup, foaming can make it difficult to fill the sprayer and compromise the uniformity of the mixture.
Defoamers reduce this problem, making the preparation process faster, safer, and more efficient.
Acidifying and buffering agents
The pH of the water directly affects the stability of various pesticides.
Acidifiers and buffers help correct and stabilize this pH, reducing the degradation of active ingredients and increasing their effectiveness during application.
Drift controllers
Drift is one of the main challenges during agricultural spraying.
It occurs when droplets are carried by the wind outside the application area, reducing the treatment's effectiveness and increasing the risk of contamination in neighboring areas.
Drift control agents work by increasing the diameter of the droplets and improving their stability during spraying.
As a result, losses are reduced, and the application becomes more precise, efficient, and safe.
Penetrating
Penetrants promote the absorption of active ingredients by plants.
By facilitating the passage of the products through the waxy layer on the leaves, these adjuvants increase the efficiency of the application, especially on crops with thicker leaves or under conditions that hinder absorption.
How do you choose the best agricultural adjuvant for your crop?
Choosing the right agricultural adjuvant is an important step in ensuring efficient spraying and reducing losses during application.
Before making your choice, consider a few factors.
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Consider the product to be applied: herbicides , fungicides, insecticides, and foliar fertilizers have different characteristics and may require specific adjuvants;
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Take weather conditions into account: on hot, dry days, for example, adjuvants that reduce spray solution evaporation can improve spray performance;
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Check the water quality: water with an inappropriate pH or high hardness can compromise the stability of some active ingredients;
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Adjust the pH as needed: acidifiers and buffers help maintain the stability of the spray mixture and preserve the effectiveness of the applied products;
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Assess the risk of drift: in areas exposed to wind or near other crops, the use of drift control devices helps ensure safer application;
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Perform a compatibility test: Before large-scale application, conduct a jar test and always follow the recommendations of the manufacturers of the products used.
What are the benefits of agricultural adjuvants in spraying?
The main benefit is to increase spraying efficiency.
According to studies by Embrapa, factors such as water quality, weather conditions, and the choice of adjuvant directly influence the performance of applications and the effectiveness of pesticides.
By improving the distribution of droplets on the leaves, adjuvants increase the coverage of the application and promote contact between the active ingredient and the target.
They also promote better adhesion of the spray mixture, reducing losses due to runoff and increasing its durability even when rain falls shortly after spraying.
Another important benefit is the increased absorption of the active ingredients.
Oil-based adjuvants and penetrants facilitate the passage of the products through the leaf cuticle, enhancing their effectiveness.
In addition to agronomic benefits, adjuvants also offer operational and environmental advantages.
By reducing spray drift and spray waste, they help lower resource consumption and minimize the impact on surrounding areas.
In practice, this translates to higher productivity, more efficient use of inputs, and lower costs associated with reapplication.
It was with these challenges in mind that the LabMulti line was developed, offering solutions for different stages of spraying, from spray mixture preparation to drift control and improved foliar coverage.
How do agricultural adjuvants protect plants?
Agricultural adjuvants are essential for ensuring that pesticides and foliar fertilizers achieve maximum performance during application.
Although they do not directly control pests, diseases, or weeds, they enhance the effectiveness of the products applied.
This is because they improve the coverage of the droplets on the leaves, increase the adhesion of the spray mixture, and promote the absorption of the active ingredients.
In addition, they reduce losses caused by drift, evaporation, and runoff, making spraying more precise and efficient.
With more effective application methods, farmers make better use of inputs, reduce waste, and improve the safety of field operations.
Another benefit is the reduction of environmental impacts, since more efficient application minimizes the spread of products to non-target areas.
One of the leading adjuvants on the market is LabMulti, a multifunctional enhancer that increases foliar coverage and penetrates the waxy layer of leaves more effectively, promoting wetting and adhesion.
It also helps reduce foaming and drift when preparing the spray mixture, which maximizes the effectiveness of the applied pesticides.
By choosing the right adjuvant for each application, growers increase operational efficiency, optimize the use of inputs, and contribute to more productive and sustainable agriculture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Agricultural Additives
What is the difference between an adjuvant and an agricultural pesticide?
Agricultural pesticides control pests, diseases, and weeds.
The adjuvant improves the application of the pesticide by increasing coverage, adhesion, and absorption of the spray mixture.
The two products have different functions and work in a complementary manner.
When should you use an agricultural adjuvant when spraying?
The adjuvant is recommended when factors such as heat, low humidity, poor-quality water, or drift reduce the efficiency of the application.
It is also recommended when the pesticide requires greater coverage or penetration of the leaf.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Can an agricultural adjuvant be mixed with any pesticide?
No. Each additive has its own characteristics and may react differently depending on the product used.
Before mixing, check the compatibility information on the label and perform a jar test.
What is the function of surfactants?
Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water. This allows the droplet to spread more evenly over the leaf, increasing coverage and spray efficiency.
Does an agricultural adjuvant improve the quality of the spray mixture?
Yes. Acidifying and buffering additives help correct the pH and neutralize salts that compromise the stability of the mixture.
This adjustment can increase the effectiveness of various pesticides.
Does the agricultural additive increase crop yields?
Indirectly, yes. By improving application efficiency, the adjuvant reduces losses and increases the effectiveness of pesticides and fertilizers.
As a result, it contributes to healthier plants and higher productivity.
