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Good news in a world of dwindling actives
Dr Brian de Villiers,
Villa Adjuvant Consultant
INTERLOCK® (L 10254) was introduced to the South African market in 2017. Since then, it has become a firm favourite with row crop growers to reduce drift and spray droplet evaporation while increasing canopy penetration and coverage. Building on this success story, MASTERLOCK® (L 10496) has now been registered in tree crops and vines. MASTERLOCK® is a dual-action adjuvant that includes similar deposition properties to INTERLOCK® but also contains a multi-purpose surfactant. It has an extended label, listing most crop protection products (CPPs) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) used in tree crops and vines. By selecting the rate, you can replace other adjuvants or make it a full-blown deposition agent.
Challenges faced by crop protection products in tree crops
The production of ultra-fine droplets by orchard sprayers is a major contributing factor to drift. A certain percentage of ultra-fine droplets never reach the target because they cannot penetrate the dense canopies of fruit trees. These droplets are also prone to evaporation and could dry out before reaching their target. Rapid evaporation becomes an even bigger issue under the hot and dry South African conditions. Droplets are also prone to droplet bounce and rapid drying on the leaf surface.
All these factors contribute to less coverage and poor pest and disease control. It’s a numbers game, and if one can find a method to increase coverage, you can achieve more effective control. Spray application techniques are the primary method to increase deposition, but adjuvants can assist in achieving more coverage and effective control.
MASTERLOCK® provides a solution
MASTERLOCK® is a new and unique deposition agent that reduces the ultra-fine droplet percentage without increasing the size of the coarser droplets prone to bounce and shattering. Therefore, a greater percentage of droplets are in the ideal size range. This ensures less drift and evaporation while increasing canopy penetration and coverage.
MASTERLOCK® contains an effective surfactant that further enhances efficacy. It decreases droplet bounce from the target while increasing spreading. The hydration of the waxy layers on the leaf surface enhances the absorption of systemic CPPs. The surfactant also assists certain contact products by containing them in a favourable environment for optimal efficacy.
Replacement of surfactants and oil
Because MASTERLOCK® also contains a surfactant, you don’t need other tank-mix surfactants. Never use two surfactants because they could cause run-off, with all the associated side effects.
In certain crops like citrus, MASTERLOCK® can also replace oil with certain CPP applications. However, consult your Villa Agronomist for more information before attempting this. Always stick to the MASTERLOCK® and CPP label recommendations.
Summary
MASTERLOCK® is a dual-action adjuvant for tree crops and vines that works in the air and on the tree. It reduces drift and evaporation while increasing canopy penetration and coverage. It ensures less droplet bounce, increases the spreading of spray droplets, and enables more effective absorption. Please note that MASTERLOCK® use is confined to tree crops and vines.
