Role of Adjuvants in Herbicidal Weed Management

An adjuvant is any substance that can be added to herbicide formulation to facilitate the mixing, application, or effectiveness of that herbicide. Adjuvants can improve herbicide performance by altering the herbicide solution to facilitate more thorough and even coverage on the plant surface, increase herbicide penetration through the plant cuticle, enhance absorption or translocation of the herbicide's active ingredient, and/or minimize any problems associated with spray solution. Adjuvants are quietly helping to revolutionize the agrochemical as they are the best tools for farmers to improve application, facilitate the right dosage, and achieve more cost-effective, better targeted, and environmentally acceptable weed control. Agricultural adjuvants play an essential role in the performance of most herbicides and function by transforming the dosage from preventative, high-dose applications to low dosages, specifically targeted for curative applications.