Author: Master

Efficiency parameters to increase the performance of agrochemicals

by Master, posted in Uncategorized

Cuticular uptake
One of the most important ways to improve the efficacy of pesticides and minimize their impact on off-target organisms is through increasing the penetration of active ingredients into plant foliage. Foliar uptake of pesticides is a complex process, depending on leaf surface characters of plants, physicochemical properties of the chemicals, types and concentration of the additives, and environmental conditions.
The fundamental mechanism of uptake has been considered, with most attention given to the epicuticular lipids and their role in modifying active ingredient diffusion through cuticles (Kirkwood 1999; Riederer and Marksta¨dter 1996; Scho¨nherr et al. 1999). However, there is a much simpler effect on the leaf surface that needs to be considered first. If a spray formulation contains adjuvants that cause droplet spread on a leaf surface, this will in effect lower the mass of active per unit area without any change in concentration until the spray solution begins to evaporate. In any case, there will be a ‘‘solution residue’’ where the concentration of the active is many times more than in the starting spray solution (Zabkiewicz 2003).

Translocation
Adjuvants are known to facilitate cuticular ‘‘transport’’ (foliar uptake) but are not thought to play any significant part in further short- or long-distance translocation processes. However, in theory, if adjuvants could reach the cellular plasmalemma, then they could affect the initial stage of the sub-cuticular transport process. The recent use of mass or molar relationships, instead of percentages, for xenobiotic uptake into plants from differing formulations, may be a means of elucidating some of the interactions among actives, adjuvants and plants (Forster et al. 2004).

PGR: Abscisic acid (ABA)

by Master, posted in PGR, Uncategorized

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone. ABA functions in many plant developmental processes, including seed and bud dormancy, the control of organ size and stomatal closure.

It is especially important for plants in the response to environmental stresses, including drought, soil salinity, cold tolerance, freezing tolerance, heat stress and heavy metal ion tolerance.

Functions
ABA was originally believed to be involved in abscission, which is how it received its name. This is now known to be the case only in a small number of plants. ABA-mediated signaling also plays an important part in plant responses to environmental stress and plant pathogens. The plant genes for ABA biosynthesis and sequence of the pathway have been elucidated. ABA is also produced by some plant pathogenic fungi via a biosynthetic route different from ABA biosynthesis in plants.

In preparation for winter, ABA is produced in terminal buds. This slows plant growth and directs leaf primordia to develop scales to protect the dormant buds during the cold season. ABA also inhibits the division of cells in the vascular cambium, adjusting to cold conditions in the winter by suspending primary and secondary growth.

Abscisic acid is also produced in the roots in response to decreased soil water potential (which is associated with dry soil) and other situations in which the plant may be under stress. ABA then translocates to the leaves, where it rapidly alters the osmotic potential of stomatal guard cells, causing them to shrink and stomata to close. The ABA-induced stomatal closure reduces transpiration (evaporation of water out of the stomata), thus preventing further water loss from the leaves in times of low water availability. A close linear correlation was found between the ABA content of the leaves and their conductance (stomatal resistance) on a leaf area basis.

Seed germination is inhibited by ABA in antagonism with gibberellin. ABA also prevents loss of seed dormancy.

Several ABA-mutant Arabidopsis thaliana plants have been identified and are available from the Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre – both those deficient in ABA production and those with altered sensitivity to its action. Plants that are hypersensitive or insensitive to ABA show phenotypes in seed dormancy, germination, stomatal regulation, and some mutants show stunted growth and brown/yellow leaves. These mutants reflect the importance of ABA in seed germination and early embryo development.

Pyrabactin (a pyridyl containing ABA activator) is a naphthalene sulfonamide hypocotyl cell expansion inhibitor, which is an agonist of the seed ABA signaling pathway. It is the first agonist of the ABA pathway that is not structurally related to ABA.

Applications of PGR, 1-NAA and 1-NAA-Na

by Master, posted in PGR

-NAA is a broad-spectrum-based plant growth regulator, can promote cell division and expansion, induced the formation of adventitious roots increased fruit set, preventing fruit drop, change female male flowers ratio. Via leaves and twigs of the tender skin and seeds into plants, the nutrient flow with the conduit to the whole plant.


-NAA reduce cotton ball falling, increasing fruit weight gain, improve quality. Promote flowering fruit trees, anti-fruit drop, ripening increase. Prevent fruits and vegetables from falling flowers, forming a small seed fruits; for rooting cuttings and other branches.


-NAA is widely used in agriculture, forestry, vegetable, flower, fruit etc. NAA can induce formation of adventitious root, improve cutting culture, promote fruit set, and prevent pre-maturation of fruit.

Multifunctions of IMMERSE

by Master, posted in adjuvants

Acaricide: Gall mites, rust mites and other mites have special effects.

Insecticide: It has significant control and preventive effect on red spiders, scale insects, mealybugs, leafhoppers, thrips, psyllids, whiteflies, aphids, leaf miners, lycium bugs and other pests.

Fungicide: It can effectively inhibit or remove downy mildew, gray mold, leaf mold, black spot, target spot, powdery mildew, soot, anthracnose, rust and other diseases.

Bright fruit: Remove the moss and black stains on the fruit surface, protect the fruit, and increase the brightness of the fruit.

Oil-based products

by Master, posted in adjuvants

Regardless of the source or type, all oil-based products have a similar mode of action.

Insecticidal oils kill insects on contact by disrupting gas exchange (respiration), cell membrane function or structure.
They also kill them by disrupting their feeding on oilcovered surfaces. Their toxic action is more physical than chemical and is short-lived.

When used against plant pathogens, oils may smother fungal growth and reduce spore germination on treated surfaces. They are mostly fungistatic, stopping fungal growth rather than killing the pathogens.

Stylet oils are highly refined oils and may control insect-vectored plant viruses in addition to insects, mites and fungal pathogens.

These oils reduce the ability of aphids to acquire the virus from an infected plant and transmit it to healthy plants. Stylet oils may interfere with the virus’s ability to remain in aphid mouthparts (stylets).

Some plant oils that contain sulfur compounds, such as neem oil, may possess additional fungicidal activity compared to petroleum oils.
Oil-based pesticides have low residual activity and must be sprayed directly on the insect or mite. To combat plant fungal pathogens, oils generally must be applied prophylactically prior to infection. Repeated applications of oils may be needed to achieve desired levels of control.

Applications of IMMERSE

by Master, posted in adjuvants

IMMERSE is used as insecticides and acaricides to protect crops. It also has a fungicidal effect and may be used to fight diseases such as Sigatoka or powdery mildew.

IMMERSE has a physical mode of action: the oil film covers and smothers the insect eggs and larvae. It also forms a barrier that can prevent the transmission of certain diseases or the arrival of spores. This explains our products’ broad spectrum of action without any known development of resistance.

IMMERSE may also be used as adjuvants with active insecticidal, fungicidal and herbicidal substances. They can have various synergies with these substances such as, for example, limiting the development of resistance to them.

Why IMMERSE?

by Master, posted in adjuvants

This solution is physical: they create a several micron thickness film that coats the plant’s surface, suffocating insect eggs and larva for example, or inhibiting the growth of fungal spores. This specific mechanism makes the oils usable on a variety of crops and does not any resistance in target species.

They have no adverse effects on crop health or yield and quality.

How IMMERSE affect the targets?

by Master, posted in adjuvants

Insects and mites are affected by IMMERSE in 3 ways:

1) prevention of gaseous exchange, disrupting respiration,

2) interference with membrane function and some toxicity to cells from oil penetration and

3) interference with feeding of certain leafhoppers and aphids on oil-covered surfaces