Space fillers of pivotal role?
MANY turfgrass professionals are often confused by the constituents of the products that they are using, be they fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides. Terms such as fillers, carriers and inert materials are common components of many product labels. Users harbour uncertainty about the exact nature of these products, with many feeling that they may be just taking up space in the product container or bag. However, in many instances, these products are playing a pivotal role of the efficacy of the product involved.
Fertilisers
In day-to-day turfgrass management various fertilisers are commonly used. Urea, which contains 46% nitrogen, is a frequently used fertiliser, although the constituents of the remaining 54% are often unknown. In many instances, a usuall inert filler is added to fertilisers to give bulk to the product. As well as this, fillers are often used to prevent caking of fertilisers, which basically relates to the sticking together of the fertiliser granules. Caking or clumping of the nutrients would be a big problem were it not for such additions, particularly with water soluble fertiliser products such as ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate. There are other fertilisers on the market that are classifies as lightweight. These nutrient products consist of the nutrient impregnated into a lightweight carrier, such as vermiculite, bentonite, peat or foam. These carriers help to aid even distribution of the nutrients and, without them, it would almost be impossible to evenly apply such fertilisers. Fillers may, or may not, have some value as a source of plant nutrients. Some manufacturers include micronutrients in the filler, such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, chlorine, molybdenum and boron, which are required in very minute quantities.
Pesticides, Herbicides and Fungicides
Common components in the above chemicals used on turfgrass include:
• Active ingredient: The active ingredient commonly referred to as the A.I. This term refers to the amount of pure chemical contained within the product that is providing the activity against the pest, weed or fungus. Typically, the amount of pure A.I. is very low and would be almost impossible to apply without some form of dilution.
• Solvent: The solvent is a compound used to dissolve the active ingredient. Some common solvents are acetone, and varsol.
• Synergist: This is a chemical which, when mixed with the product, may increase the products effectiveness.
• Emulsifier: An emulsifier is a chemical which allows an oil and water to mix.
• Spreader: An adjuvant which allows the
CHEMICAL Constituents
material to spread over the leaves, by lowering the surface tension.
• Dilutent: Ingredients which dilute the ingredients to a desired level.
Chemical formulations for various aspects of turfgrass management can be supplied in different forms including:
• Dusts often contain the active ingredient mixed with compounds such as organic flour, sands and talc which may aid even distribution
• Emulsifiable concentrates contain active ingredients mixed with solvents, such as oil, as well as emulsifiers which aid in the active ingredient and solvent to dissolve in water and be spread evenly.
• Wettable powders usually include some form of wetting agent which allow the A.I. particles to become suspended in water at the time of application and, without which, even application would be virtually impossible.
Adjuvants are often included in pesticide products and are aimed at altering the spreading characteristics of spray droplets in order to improve product safety and performance. Wetting agents, emulsifiers, spreaders, buffering agents, spreader- stickers drift reduction agents, and buffers are commonly used adjuvants.
Buffering agents adjust the pH of alkaline (high pH) water which, unless treated, can cause hydrolysis of pesticides, leading to pesticide inactivation.
Antifoaming agents are sometimes required in products which require shaking prior to use, such as flowables. Without the antifoaming agents, such products would be a nightmare to handle. Microbial growth can be an issue with some water based products and biocides are sometimes included to prevent microbial growth, which would decompose the A.I. contained within the product. For foliar acting chemicals, ingredients are often included to reduce U.V. degradation and increase rain- fastness.
It is important to remember that not all ingredients are compatible. Some products may react with others leading to poor mixing and flocculation or clumping of ingredients resulting in sprayer blockages and poor, uneven application. This is why compatibility testing using methods, such as the jar test, are recommended when mixing certain products.
About the Author
Tim Butler is currently studying for a doctorate degree in Turfgrass Science at both University College Dublin, Ireland, and Michigan State University, USA. Contact Tim at
timmbutler@hotmail.com
JUST over a year ago Peter Knight, Director of Bury Turfcare, was lucky to escape with his life.
On December 13th 2005, at around 6.00am in the morning, Peter was travelling along the A14 in Suffolk on his way to carry out some vertidraining for one of his customers. He was travelling at 25 mph when a lorry ploughed into the back of him; the driver having fallen asleep at the wheel.
The lorry hit the vertidrain at 56mph pushing it, and the tractor with Peter inside, 52 metres down the road before finally coming to a halt.
Peter spent a week in hospital having three operations on his knee and narrowly escaping with his life. He has undergone intense physiotherapy, is in constant pain and has recently had an MRI scan with a view to a possible further operation. His mental health has suffered which, in turn, has had a considerable impact on both his business and family life.
The financial loss to Peter’s business is still being calculated but, it is fair to say that, being incapacitated for three months will have seriously impacted on his cash flow. The situation is not helped by the fact that the insurance claim remains unsettled 13 months later! Peter has had to invest nearly £30,000 in a new lorry with which to transport the vertidrain and tractor as, understandably, he does not wish to put himself or his employees through the same ordeal again.
He is grateful to Charterhouse Turf Machinery for giving him a discounted price on the replacement Vertidrain.
All of us at Pitchcare hope that Peter continues his recovery and wish him, his wife Jean and his business, all the best for 2007.
KNIGHT seeing daylight
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