STRUCTURING Ag Chemicals, Disinfectants, Pesticides, Insecticides

Do Your Water Sources Serve Their Purpose In Tank Mixes? Many chemicals and nutrients are added to water prior to application of their intended use. However, water plays the major role containing several factors that limit effectiveness.

Water affects the majority of commonly used Ag chemicals, which decompose rapidly when calcium, bicarbonates and higher pH persist as this produces hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of these compounds is reported as half-life or the time required for 50% of the active ingredients to hydrolyze to inactive material in aqueous solutions. The rate of decomposition is determined by the chemical make-up of the pesticide and is different for each compound. Organophosphates and carbamates are the principal types of chemicals affected the most.

 Calcium, bicarbonates and higher pH affect them the most as they affect penetration and absorption rates of chemical compounds. The chemical compounds are actually split by water containing these characteristics and converted to inactive form.

 When Structuring the carrier water, hydrolysis is significantly reduced to the point of an advisory application of chemicals. An advisory is to reduce the chemical by a minimum of 40% from recommended rates. It increases penetration by lowered water surface tension and increased half-life residual due to increased bio-photon energy of the water, which maximizes chemical effectiveness.

Also, by following the advisory application rates, it will lower phytotoxicity to all agricultural crops. One thing to be aware of is hydrolysis is irreversible and initial effectiveness is lost without structuring the carrier, water first. This is key.

This applies to Ag chemicals, disinfectants, pesticides, insecticides and even foliar feeding.

Gordy Jordahl