ABSTRACT
Adjuvants which benefit pesticides used as postemergence sprays are of two general types: formulation adjuvants and spray adjuvants. Adjuvants comprise a very large and heterogeneous group of substances; they may be considered as additives which in some way enhance the desired action, or performance, of the main ingredient. Many variables must be considered, including the following: differences in the individual pesticides and agricultural chemicals, differences in the surfactants and/or adjuvants, differences in solvents such as oil and water, differences in carrier solutions such as liquid fertilizers and water, differences in plant surfaces and other interfaces, and differences in the physical environment. Part of the confusion about adjuvant terminology exists because of the widely held but erroneous assumption that any substance that lowers surface tension of water or increases wettability of spray solutions serves universally as an adjuvant for most pesticides. The functions of many adjuvants are still poorly understood, although their uses for a number of purposes are increasing.
