Getting spray “to, on, and in” is key to avoiding waste and optimising efficacy. Li-700 for post-harvest applications in horticulture is the key.
Li-700® comes through
Getting spray “to, on, and in” is key to avoiding waste and optimising efficacy according to sustainable horticulture company UPL NZ Ltd.’s Adjuvant Product Manager David Lingan.
That’s where he says world-leading adjuvant Li-700 comes in. Every dollar counts and getting the most from your post-harvest herbicide spray applications is vital. Li-700 is a combined penetrant, surfactant, drift retardant, and pH reducer which ensures the application spray provides the much-needed “to, on, and in” David says.
“That means spray loss is minimised and spray efficacy is optimised. It provides the best of all worlds. Li-700 extracts every last cent of value from systemic herbicides.”
Clever technology for improved herbicide performance
Li-700 is a blend of Lecithin (from soyabeans), propionic acid, and surfactants and backed by substantial research. It is suitable for use in a wide variety of applications including under fruit trees, vines, cereals, and vegetables, The leaf of a plant is covered by a layer of interlocking wax platelets, called the cuticle. David says Li-700 lifts the platelets, allowing the spray solution to penetrate the openings between the platelets. The spray solution can then enter the plant tissue underneath with no damage to the cuticle. "It enables the actives in sprays to get into the plant rapidly by going through the natural voids between platelets. It’s very clever chemistry.”
Li-700 ensures optimum coverage by improving the spray pattern and droplets; reducing any “swirl” effect and evening-out delivery, so spray loss and unintended over-spray consequences are reduced. David says the advantages are quantifiable. “Spray Drift - which can be 20%-30% of what is being applied- is totally wasted money. You want 100% of your spray on target. Using Li-700 means you have a degree of certainty even if you’re spraying in a light breeze”.
Li-700 also creates a more favourable pH environment for weak acid herbicides such as glyphosate. Some crop protection products such as carfentrazone (e.g., Clout®) and cymoxanil are degraded in alkaline water (alkaline hydrolysis).
Post-harvest herbicide application will benefit from the addition of Li-700, from reduced drift, better product deposition, and getting the active ingredient into the plant where it can do its job. Li-700 is an acidifying agent that adjusts the pH of alkaline water to help optimise product performance.
For more advice on Li-700 read more online or contact David Lingan on david.lingan@upl-ltd.com.
