At Nichino, we recognise that adjuvancy is a fundamental science, often overlooked, yet essential to the behaviour of sprays within the tank, in the air, and upon the leaf surface. A deep understanding of adjuvancy is crucial; without it, crop protection products may not fulfil their intended purpose, leading not only to unnecessary expense but also to negative environmental consequences. The aim of Nichino’s adjuvant range is to ensure that every droplet reaches its target and remains there, maximising efficacy and responsibility in every application.
The Role of Water in Spray Applications
To appreciate why adjuvants are used, it is first necessary to understand the unique properties of water. While water is abundant on Earth, it is by no means ordinary. It possesses a higher boiling point and freezing point than one might expect for a molecule of its type, and unlike most substances, it is less dense as a solid than as a liquid. These unusual characteristics arise from water’s tendency to form hydrogen bonds between molecules—the slight positive charge on a hydrogen atom of one molecule is attracted to the slight negative charge on an oxygen atom of another. This bonding causes water molecules to cling together, making it difficult for other substances to dissolve and remain dissolved. As a result, water tends to form droplets that resist spreading evenly over leaf surfaces, a phenomenon known as surface tension. These issues are further aggravated by cold or hard water conditions, making it even more challenging to achieve optimum performance from plant protection products.
How Adjuvants Address Water’s Challenges
To overcome these problems, specific adjuvants are added to break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules. This allows substances to emulsify more readily and remain suspended in solution, preventing ingredients from settling or separating. Such improvements are particularly valuable in complex tank mixes, such as those used at T1, which may contain PGRs, herbicides, fungicides, and nutritional products. By keeping all components in solution, growers experience fewer issues with blocked nozzles and degraded sprayer parts. Nichino’s Kantor adjuvant, which is based on unique alcoxylated triglyceride chemistry, is especially effective in maintaining suspension, even at lower temperatures. It also reduces the number of fine droplets, thereby significantly decreasing drift. Upon contact with the leaf, the adjuvant ensures even spray deposition and rapid spreading, enhancing both rainfastness and the speed of uptake. Additionally, a pH buffer is included to slightly acidify the product, making it particularly suitable for use in hard water areas.
The Critical Role of Adjuvancy in Modern Agronomy
In today’s agricultural landscape, a thorough understanding of adjuvancy is vital for success. With fewer active ingredients available, increasing resistance, and the necessity to protect non-target species and field margins, the use of adjuvants stands out as one of the most effective and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-conscious strategies. Employing adjuvants not only boosts efficacy but also contributes to environmental protection—goals that can be achieved together through thoughtful application.