Every farmer knows the allure of tank mixing. Mixing insecticides with fungicides or growth promoters with biopesticides makes sense, saving time, fuel, and manual labour by combining three applications into one. Tank mixing of pesticides without knowledge of chemical compatibility is one of the most frequent (as well as the most expensive) errors in agriculture. Inappropriate tank mixing may cause clogging of nozzles, reduced efficiency, harm to the crops, or, in the worst-case scenario, the complete failure of an expensive batch of agricultural pesticide. It makes sense to have some basic knowledge of chemical compatibility before mixing chemicals.
What Does “Compatible” Really Mean?
Compatibility is not only about whether or not the two substances mix without forming any curdling in the tank. It also involves three main aspects:
- Physical compatibility: Does the mixture form a stable solution, or do you have to deal with separation, precipitation, or formation of a substance that will plug up your sprayer?
- Chemical compatibility: Does the mixture of acid-based and alkaline-based substances negate each other’s action, making your insecticide and fungicide treatment of plants less effective?
- Biological compatibility: Will the mixture raise the risk of phytotoxicity?
Making a mistake with even one of these renders the whole point of tank mixing moot.
The Jar Test: Your First Line of Defence
Before formulating an entire tank-load of pest control products for crops, ensure that you carry out a small-scale test using the jar test. To conduct this jar test, pour clean water in the ratio that would be used in the tank, then add the pest management formulations in the right order of use, which is normally the water-soluble packets and wettable powders first, suspensions second, emulsifiable concentrates third, and finally the adjuvants. Allow the formulation to stay for 15-20 minutes.
Does a Successful Jar Test Mean the Tank Mix Is Completely Safe?
Not necessarily.
A successful jar test mainly indicates that the products are physically compatible under the tested conditions. It does not prove that the combination will be effective against the target pest or disease, nor does it automatically establish crop safety.
Chemical incompatibility can occur without obvious visible changes in the jar. Therefore, farmers should consider the label, crop, pest, application timing, rates, environmental conditions, and available technical recommendations before proceeding.
Common Compatibility Mistakes Farmers Make
- Use of strong acid along with an alkaline product – This is a common problem when using some plant protection products because the pH conflict will break down the active substance before reaching the leaf.
- Mixing of copper fungicides with oils – This mixture tends to create leaf burn in hot weather.
- Neglecting the information on the labels – Every label has compatibility information, and ignoring that is one of the biggest reasons for unnecessary loss during crop protection.
- Tank loading – Using too many products at one time, hoping for wide-spectrum protection, is not always a good idea chemically or financially.
Where Bio Pesticides Fit In
There is an increase in the use of bio-pesticides because of low residues and safety for the environment. However, more care needs to be taken while mixing in tanks. This is because most of the biological products are made up of microorganisms and enzymes that are highly sensitive to being mixed with chemicals or to being exposed to water with a poor PH.
Benefit from Existing Producers
Those companies that focus on crop care pesticides create compatibility information right in their product brochures, since an excellent formulation in isolation may turn out to be really bad in the wrong mixture. Amish Crop Sciences, an agrochemical company based in Hyderabad, would be a good illustration of what a modern agricultural pesticide line-up looks like. It includes insecticides such as Amiglo, Amipride, Credible, Credible FS, Dignity, Dignity Plus, & Fipron 80. Each of them is of the contact, systemic, or granular type and is intended for use in conjunction with some other products at certain stages of plant development. Instead of considering all insecticides in the same light, the farmer is recommended to apply those that are compatible with other chemicals, such as fungicides or growth regulators, and those that need to be used individually.
A Simple Pre-Spray Checklist
- Check all labels for possible compatibility issues.
- Run a jar test if you have a new combination.
- Observe the correct mixing sequence: powders, followed by suspensions, followed by liquids, and finally adjuvants.
- Do not mix more than two or three pesticides unless the product label indicates compatibility.
- Biopesticides should be mixed separately from strong chemical actives.
- Calibrate the sprayer each time you change the spray mixture.
FAQs
A. You should always read the label before making a combination, as most companies will mention any products that are not compatible. If this information is not on the label, then perform a jar test with the exact ratio of water to product that you would use in the fish tank.
A. This is a risky venture. Most biopesticides have active organisms that can be deactivated by the presence of very powerful chemicals in the tank or improper pH levels of the water. It is best to apply biopesticides through a separate spraying process.
A. Rule to follow in general: begin with water-dispersible granules or wettable powders; then go to suspensions, ECs, and liquids; and finish up with adjuvants or surfactants. Mixing of adjuvants in an incorrect order is one of the causes of nozzle clogging.
A. This is mostly caused by incompatibility of the chemicals; for instance, mixing acids and alkalis may cause the destruction of the ingredients before they are absorbed by the plants. It may also be caused by two products competing for the same point of action.
A. No, usually not, unless it is stated on the label that it is compatible with others. Combining different insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators increases the possibility of incompatibility and makes troubleshooting more difficult should the crop react negatively to it.
Final Thoughts
Tank mixing can indeed be a way to save a farmer some time and money, although only after conducting a compatibility test first. It will take less than five minutes to conduct a jar test than it would cost the farmer to have an affected crop or a clogged sprayer. Whether using Amiglo, Amipride, Credible, Credible FS, Dignity, Dignity Plus, Fipran 80, or other crop protection products from Amish Crop Sciences, the right product combined with the right application practice can contribute to a more effective and responsible crop protection program.
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