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Reduce fungicide spray.
Potato and onion crops need frequent, high volume agrichemical sprays. Targeting pest and disease sites is difficult in both crops; potatoes because of their dense multilayered canopy; onions because of their vertical, waxy leaves and tight growth form.
Laboratory and field studies determined the effects of the adjuvants, Du-Wett (an organosilicone blend spreader adjuvant) and Bond Xtra (an organosilicone blend spreader-sticker adjuvant), on the retention and distribution of more than 20 combinations of a.i.s commonly applied in onion spray programmes. The use of Du-Wett or Bond Xtra, in both protectant and systemic sprays, applied in only 40% of the conventional water volume, resulted in improved retention and coverage and better re-distribution of sprays to pest and disease target sites. Control of pests (thrips) and disease (downy mildew) was maintained; crop vigour and yield were unaffected.
Gaskin, RE; Elliott, G; Munro JP and Murrary RJ. 2001. Improving spray performance on onion crops with novel organosilicone adjuvant blends. 6th International Symposium on Adjuvants for Agrochemicals. ed. H. de Ruiter. August 2001. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Pp. 327-332.