What you need to know about a quality application of Crop Protection products

Presented by: Agr. Ing. Jorgelina Lezaun 
Agribusiness & Marketing Consultant
jorgelina.lezaun@gmail.com 

October 2024

The application consists of placing a phytosanitary product on the target at a given dose.

The target may be the soil, plants that need to be eliminated, or the crops themselves that need to be protected from pests and diseases.

The alternatives for applying phytosanitary products are:

1. Fumigation: is the application of a gas (e.g. methyl bromide) used to “disinfect” soils in intensive crop seedbeds. It is also used for liquid formulations, and when in contact with moisture it produces the release of a gas. In both cases the soil is covered to achieve greater persistence of the product. It is also used for stored grains.

2. Dusting is the application of products in powder form. It is practically not used in extensive agriculture due to the difficulties in achieving homogeneous distribution.
3. Nebulization: generation of very small droplets (15 to 25 microns) so that they remain suspended in the air (e.g. mosquito control). Not used in extensive agriculture.
4.  Injection: application of a liquid to the soil using injectors. (e.g. ant control)
5.  Contact application systems: using rope devices that are soaked in the product (a herbicide) that wets the weeds without touching the crop. They have fallen into disuse due to the efficiency of early application herbicides.
6.  Spraying: This is the most widely used system because it is the most practical and efficient. The process consists of dividing the spray mixture, through a mechanical process, into millions of drops that are placed on the crop, according to an appropriate application technique.
   
    

Good practices for the application of phytosanitary products

The most common method of application is spraying, which consists of dispersing drops of the product so that they can settle on the object of treatment. The product is prepared dissolved or mixed with water (or oil) or unmixed, and is applied to the target in the form of a mist or cloud, formed by drops of liquid, which contain the active ingredient.

Having a product with a good formulation quality, mixed correctly and applied at the appropriate time and under the appropriate conditions, protecting people and the environment from risks, ensures effective treatment and safe application.

Phytosanitary products present risks that are diverse and difficult to control at the time of application. It is important to follow the recommendations of a professional regarding dosage, equipment, timing and precautions.

Good practices must be part of every stage of the process, from decision-making and product selection, transportation, storage, mixing, loading and application to the management of surplus and empty containers.

Slide

Before Application

• Decision making
• Purchase
• Transport
• Storage

During Application

• Mix and load
• Application

After Application

• washing - decontamination
• Handle empty containers

Recomendations:

The preparation, mixing of products and loading of application equipment must be carried out with special care since products that have not been mixed are generally in a more concentrated form (greater toxicity).

It is advisable to have a specific site for the preparation of the mixture and the loading, which is practical and functional, and which guarantees safety protection for the operator and the environment. This site may or may not be covered and must have a floor at least in the sprayer filling area with the capacity to retain occasional spills.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment must be used to minimize the risks of poisoning or damage associated with the use of pesticides.

PPE is a necessary and fundamental aspect to reduce the risk of working with phytosanitary products. The type of protective equipment to be used depends on the activity to be carried out (transport, storage, preparation of the mixture, application, among others) and the type of product to be applied.

The equipment selection will be indicated on the label or buuklet. In addition, they can be consulted in the “Exposure Control or Personal Protection” section of the safety data sheet.

The information provided by the manufacturer or distributor of these items indicates their useful life so that you know when they should be discarded and replaced.

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