When it comes to spray applications, most of the focus lands on the herbicide. But what happens in the tank after the herbicide is added can make just as much difference in the field.
That is where adjuvants come in.
The right adjuvant can help improve coverage, reduce drift, increase uptake, and help herbicides work the way they were intended to. Especially during challenging conditions, adjuvants are often the difference between a decent application and getting the most out of every pass across the field.
In other words, they are not just an add-on. They are part of the application strategy.
Every spray application faces challenges:
- Drift
- Evaporation
- Hard water tie-up
- Poor canopy penetration
- Reduced leaf uptakeAdverse Weather Conditions
A quality adjuvant helps address those issues so more of the application stays on target and gets into the plant where it needs to work.
Three adjuvants we commonly recommend are InterLock®, StrikeLock®, and Class Act® NG®. Each serves a different purpose depending on the application and field conditions.
Class Act® NG®: Conditioning Water and Improving Uptake
Water quality can impact herbicide activity before the application even leaves the tank.
Class Act® NG® is an AMS-based water conditioner designed to support herbicide performance, particularly with glyphosate and glufosinate applications. Hard water minerals can tie up herbicides and reduce absorption into the plant, while Class Act NG helps condition the water, improve droplet spread, and keep droplets wetter longer on the leaf surface.
Additional benefits include:
- Improved herbicide uptake
- Reduced foaming
- Pre-dissolved liquid AMS for easier handling
- Faster herbicide activity through CornSorb® technology
Every spray application is an investment in time, chemistry, equipment, and yield potential. Adjuvants help protect that investment by improving consistency and helping applications perform under a wider range of conditions.
InterLock®: Keeping Applications on Target
Drift management continues to be one of the biggest concerns during spray season. InterLock® helps improve deposition so more droplets stay where they belong.
InterLock works by producing more droplets in the ideal droplet size range, improving canopy penetration and coverage while reducing drift potential.
Why does that matter?
Because spray droplets that are too small can drift or evaporate before reaching the target. Droplets that are too large may bounce or run off the leaf surface. The goal is finding the sweet spot that maximizes coverage while keeping applications on target.
Research has shown improved spray coverage when InterLock was added to glufosinate applications, which becomes especially important during warmer, windier summer conditions.
StrikeLock®: Helping Herbicides Get into the Plant
Getting spray droplets onto the leaf is only part of the equation. Herbicides still need to move through the leaf surface and into the plant to be effective.
Hot, dry conditions can create thicker leaf cuticles, making uptake more difficult. StrikeLock® helps improve deposition and move herbicides deeper into the leaf surface.
Additional benefits include:
- Drift reduction
- Improved canopy deposition
- Increased herbicide activity through high oil content
- Easier handling compared to traditional high-surfactant MSOs
Better uptake can lead to more consistent herbicide activity, especially under challenging conditions.If you have questions about adjuvant selection, tank mixes, or application recommendations, contact a member of our agronomy team. We are happy to help find the right fit for your operation and application goals!
Sources:
Information referenced in this article was sourced from WinField United product guides and supporting research for:
• StrikeLock® Adjuvant Guide
• InterLock® Adjuvant Guide
• Class Act® NG® Guide
Always read and follow label directions. Product performance may vary depending on environmental conditions, application practices, and field conditions.