Effect of Adjuvants and pH Adjuster on the Efficacy of Sulcotrione Herbicide
Łukasz Sobiech, Monika Grzanka, G. Skrzypczak, Robert Idziak, Sylwia Włodarczak, Marek Ochowiak
Abstract
The effectiveness of herbicides is affected by the pH of the spray liquid. The use of adjuvants can mitigate the negative effect of pH, and it also allows for a reduction in herbicide doses while maintaining high efficiency. Greenhouse studies were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the herbicide sulcotrione (HRAC F2), against barnyardgrass, at full or reduced doses with adjuvants, and a modified pH of the solutions. The contact angle and surface tension of liquid spray drops, as well as the shear viscosity of individual solutions, were also tested. Results indicated that at a low pH of the spray liquid (4), the use of a reduced dose of sulcotrione with adjuvant based on methylated rapeseed oil can increase the effectiveness of barnyardgrass control to the same level as at the full dose of herbicide. The use of adjuvants contributed to the reduction in the contact angle and the surface tension of liquid spray droplets. No significant differences in shear viscosity were observed for individual solutions.