Adjuvants in Precision Agriculture
Introduction
Precision agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to maximize crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global precision farming market is expected to reach $12.9 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.1% during the forecast period.
What is an Adjuvant?
Adjuvants play a crucial role in precision agriculture by improving the performance of inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. In fact, the use of adjuvants has been shown to increase crop yield by up to 25%, according to a study by the University of Minnesota.
Specific types of adjuvants and their mode of action
There are several types of adjuvants available in the market, including surfactants, oil adjuvants, buffering agents, compatibility agents, deposition aids, and drift-reducing agents.
Each type of adjuvant has a unique mode of action that enhances the efficacy of inputs in different ways.
Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water droplets and increase their spread and coverage on plant surfaces.
Oil adjuvants improve the penetration and absorption of inputs into plant tissues.
Buffering agents regulate the pH of inputs to optimize their performance, while drift-reducing agents reduce the off-target movement of inputs during application.
Some adjuvant products available in the market
In India, some of the popular adjuvant products available in the market include Dr. Fixit Raincoat, Crop Care Superwet, and Vasundhara Adjuvant. International examples of adjuvant products include Tank-Mix Ultra and Silwet L-77 in the United States, and LI 700 and Pulse in Canada.
Regulatory aspects of using adjuvants
Adjuvants are regulated by various authorities worldwide to ensure their safety and efficacy in crop protection.
In India, adjuvants fall under the purview of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), which is responsible for registering and regulating all types of pesticides and adjuvants.
The CIBRC has prescribed guidelines on the permissible limits and safety measures for adjuvants, and farmers are advised to use only approved adjuvants and follow the label instructions carefully.
In addition to improving crop yield and quality, the use of adjuvants can also have positive environmental impacts.
By reducing the amount of inputs required, farmers can minimize the amount of chemicals that are released into the environment.
Adjuvants can also help to reduce the risk of resistance and contamination, as they can improve the efficiency of inputs and reduce the need for repeated applications.
However, it is important for farmers to use adjuvants responsibly and in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Farmers should also be aware of potential interactions between adjuvants and inputs, as well as environmental factors such as wind, temperature, and humidity, which can affect the performance of adjuvants.
Adjuvants in Precision Agriculture
Precision agriculture and the use of adjuvants have gained significant traction both in India and globally. India, being an agricultural country, has a vast potential for adopting precision agriculture techniques to improve crop yields and reduce input costs.
According to a study published by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the use of adjuvants has been shown to increase the efficacy of herbicides and insecticides by up to 40% in India. This can result in significant cost savings for farmers and reduce the risk of resistance and contamination.
Dr. J.S. Sandhu, Director of the ICAR’s Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, emphasized the importance of adjuvants in precision agriculture, stating, “Adjuvants can be used to improve the performance of inputs by increasing their penetration and retention in plants. This can result in higher crop yields and reduced input costs for farmers.”
In addition to improving crop yields and reducing input costs, the use of adjuvants can also have positive environmental impacts.
Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah, Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University, stated, “The use of adjuvants can help to reduce the environmental impact of inputs such as pesticides and herbicides. By improving their efficiency, we can reduce the amount of chemicals that are released into the environment.”
Globally, the use of adjuvants in precision agriculture has also gained momentum. In the United States, the market for adjuvants is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2025, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of precision agriculture techniques and the need to improve the efficiency of inputs.
One company that is leading the way in adjuvant technology is Huntsman Corporation. Huntsman has developed a range of adjuvants that are specifically designed for use in precision agriculture. The company’s adjuvants are designed to improve the efficacy of inputs such as herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides by improving their absorption and retention in plants.
According to Kavitha Ramakrishnan, Business Manager for Huntsman Performance Products in Asia, “Our adjuvants are specifically designed for the needs of precision agriculture. We work closely with farmers and distributors to ensure that our products are tailored to the specific needs of their crops and conditions.”
Role of Drones in Adjuvant Application
One complementing product that goes well with adjuvants in precision agriculture is drones. Drones equipped with multispectral or hyperspectral cameras can provide farmers with real-time data on crop health, nutrient deficiencies, and water stress. This information can be used to optimize the timing, rate, and placement of inputs, including adjuvants.
A farmer can use a drone to map a field and identify areas that require more or less input based on their health status. The farmer can then use an adjuvant to improve the performance of the inputs and ensure that they reach their intended targets more effectively. This can lead to higher yields, better quality, and lower costs.
A report by MarketsandMarkets notes that “Drones offer farmers an efficient and cost-effective means of monitoring crop health and identifying areas that require inputs. By combining drones with adjuvants, farmers can optimize their input use and achieve higher yields and quality.”
Other Complementing Products for Adjuvants
There are other complementing products that can enhance the benefits of adjuvants in precision agriculture include weather stations, soil sensors, and irrigation systems.
These products can provide farmers with valuable data on environmental conditions, soil moisture, and nutrient levels, which can be used to fine-tune the application of inputs and adjuvants. By using a combination of these technologies, farmers can achieve more precise and efficient crop management, leading to improved profitability and sustainability.
Role of ACPS (Agriculture Cyber Physical Systems)
An agriculture cyber-physical system (ACPS) can complement the use of adjuvants and other precision agriculture techniques by providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to crop management.
ACPS combines hardware and software technologies such as sensors, actuators, drones, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to collect, analyze, and act on data in real-time.
One of the main benefits of ACPS is its ability to provide farmers with a holistic view of their farm operations, allowing them to identify potential issues and optimize their inputs and adjuvants accordingly. For example, ACPS can monitor soil moisture levels, temperature, and humidity to determine the optimal timing and rate of irrigation, fertilization, and pest control.
ACPS technologies such as drones, soil sensors, and smart irrigation systems can complement the use of adjuvants in precision agriculture.
Drones equipped with multispectral sensors can capture high-resolution images of crop fields and analyze them to identify crop stress, nutrient deficiencies, and pest infestations. Based on this data, farmers can apply adjuvants and other inputs only where they are needed, reducing waste and improving efficacy.
Soil sensors can measure soil moisture, temperature, and nutrient levels in real-time, allowing farmers to optimize their irrigation and fertilization schedules and use adjuvants more effectively.
Smart irrigation systems can automate the delivery of water and nutrients to crops, reducing labor and resource costs and minimizing environmental impact.
ACPS can also improve the efficiency and safety of input and adjuvant application by using automated and remote-controlled systems. This reduces the need for manual labor and minimizes the risk of human errors and exposure to chemicals.
ACPS can also enable farmers to monitor their fields and equipment from a distance, reducing the need for physical inspections and saving time and resources.
In India, the government is actively promoting the use of ACPS in agriculture through initiatives such as the National Smart Agriculture Mission. The mission aims to increase the income of farmers by promoting the use of digital technologies in agriculture, including precision agriculture and ACPS. The mission has set a target to cover 100,000 villages with ACPS by 2024.
According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, the global market for ACPS in agriculture is expected to reach $15.3 billion by 2022, driven by the increasing adoption of precision agriculture and the need to improve food security and sustainability.
The report notes that “ACPS can help farmers optimize their inputs and adjuvants, reduce costs, and improve yield and quality. With the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning, ACPS can provide even more insights and benefits for agriculture.”
Conclusion
The use of adjuvants in precision agriculture has significant potential for improving crop yields, reducing input costs, and minimizing environmental impact. With the development of new and innovative adjuvant technologies, farmers in India and around the world can optimize their farming operations and improve the sustainability of their practices.
