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Adjuvants: Test Design, Interpretation, and Presentation of Results

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jerry M. Green*
Affiliation:
DuPont Crop Protection, Stine-Haskell Research Center, Newark, DE 19714-0030
Chester L. Foy
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0331
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: jerry.m.green@usa.dupont.com.

Abstract

Adjuvant research contributes much to the knowledge and practice of weed science though the scientific process of systematically asking precise questions and subsequently making distinctions among alternative explanations. The purpose of adjuvant experimentation is to answer these questions and the purpose of associated papers and presentations is to communicate the new information. These purposes are self-evident, but are difficult to perfect. Some factors are particularly difficult for adjuvant researchers and require that researchers plan thoroughly from the formulation of the experimental question to final presentation of results. Adjuvant research requires both chemical and biological expertise that is traditionally separated in most organizations. Scientists from other disciplines or weed scientists not primarily concerned with adjuvants often direct adjuvant studies. This paper discusses mistakes that are commonly made in test design, interpretation, and presentation and suggests guidelines to improve the quality of adjuvant research.

Type
Symposium
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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