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Adjuvants—Terminology, Classification, and Chemistry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

James L. Hazen
James L. Hazen*
Affiliation:
Agricultural Specialties, Witco–a Crompton business, Dublin, OH. E-mail: hazenji@cromptoncorp.com
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Abstract

An adjuvant is a material added to a tank mix to aid or modify the action of an agrichemical, or the physical properties of the mixture. For the most recent decade, responsible researchers, suppliers, and trade organizations have made significant progress to identify, understand, and standardize adjuvants. Adjuvant components, their purpose in application, terminology, and now, even tests that establish minimum performance expectations are under development. Certification of voluntary adjuvant composition and performance standards will soon be available. The adjuvant industry has grown into respectability. This paper will attempt to serve as a useful reference for current terminology and definitions accepted by weed science, and also provide a brief discussion of the chemistry favored in current adjuvant compositions.

Keywords

Surfactantcrop oilactivatorwetting agentASTM, American Society for Testing and MaterialsCMC, critical micelle concentrationCPDA, Chemical Producers and Distributors AssociationDST, dynamic surface tensionEST, equilibrium surface tensionHLB, hydrophile–lipophile balanceWSSA, Weed Science Society of America
Type
Symposium
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , December 2000 , pp. 773 - 784
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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