"It doesn't stop at warnings"

"Unfortunately, we're still finding crop protection chemicals in surface water. This leads to products being reassessed sooner and, in some cases, pulled from the market more quickly. This isn't a myth, it's a harsh reality. Misuse of these products can have serious consequences. And with so few options left, we need to take great care with the ones we still have."

With these strong words, Caroline van den Hoek of Syngenta Crop Protection opened her workshop at last Wednesday's Water Day.

Drops in the right place
Following her warning, Caroline quickly got to the heart of her message: optimizing spraying techniques is key to making sure every drop ends up exactly where it needs to be - on the crop. The effective use of adjuvants (spray additives) can significantly improve the efficiency of crop protection products. But when should you use which adjuvant? And is it always necessary to add one?

When it comes to adjuvants, there's a wide variety to choose from. Making the right choice is crucial, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of your crop protection efforts. The route the active ingredient takes determines which adjuvant is most appropriate. Some reduce drift, improve deposition, increase spreading, enhance adhesion, or boost uptake. The key is to select the adjuvant based on its main function, as no single adjuvant can do it all.

Syngenta offers support in making these choices. Their Expert Center website includes an integrated adjuvant selector tool. It's also important to understand that the ratio of water to adjuvant to crop protection product must be precisely balanced.

To bring her message to life, Caroline had set up plants and UV lights. This hands-on demonstration allowed participants to see exactly how the product spread across the crop after spraying.

For more information:
Caroline van den Hoek
Syngenta Crop Protection
Tel: +31 (0)6 82 68 99 36
caroline.van_den_hoek@syngenta.com
www.syngenta.nl