{"id":16086,"date":"2022-09-15T13:11:01","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T16:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartcherry.cl\/?p=16086"},"modified":"2024-09-24T14:41:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T18:41:51","slug":"tratamientos-foliares-los-detalles-que-hacen-la-diferencia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartcherry.cl\/en\/planificacion-tareas\/fertilizacion-foliar\/tratamientos-foliares-los-detalles-que-hacen-la-diferencia\/","title":{"rendered":"Foliar Treatments: The details that make the difference"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Eduardo Parra \u2013 Agricultural Engineer, Greenmark Technical Manager.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a foliar treatment with an agrochemical does not give the expected results, it is common to think that perhaps the correct dose was not applied or that the product used did not work. Less frequently, people think about the nozzle used, the volume used, the speed of application or the quality of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water quality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water is not only the medium that allows the agrochemical to be distributed, but depending on its composition it can significantly modify the effectiveness of the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

pH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most agrochemicals require an acidic pH (< 7) to avoid the alkaline degradation of their active ingredients, therefore, it is essential to lower the pH of the water when its value is higher than 5.5 - 6, taking into account, in addition, that some products are alkalizing (they increase the pH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rate at which alkaline hydrolysis occurs depends primarily on the specific chemical properties of the agrochemical, the pH of the water mixture and the period of time the product is in contact with it. Values above pH 8 and 9 can cause extremely rapid alkaline hydrolysis to the point where the degree of phytosanitary control may be largely lost. The degradation of an agrochemical is generally expressed in terms of its half-life, which is the period of time it takes to decompose in water to half its original concentration (50% of hydrolysis): half-life DT50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solids-salts-hardness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turbid water contains suspended soil or clay particles that can reduce the effectiveness of agrochemicals by sequestering their active ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a large number of dissolved substances in water, mostly salts. Of the main ions present, those that most influence the behaviour of agrochemicals are Ca++ and Mg++, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalents, which are reflected in the hardness of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard water produces scale that can clog nozzles and filters on spray equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High contents of dissolved ions form insoluble salts with agrochemicals or surfactants that stabilize them and hinder the dissolution of phytosanitary and nutritional products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure the effectiveness of foliar sprays, it is recommended to achieve a pH of the broths of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n