What is an adjuvant?

An adjuvant is defined as a substance that is added to a pesticide formulation to modify its behavior and enhance its effectiveness. This can include spreader-stickers, which help pesticides adhere to plant surfaces, surfactants that improve coverage by reducing surface tension, and other application enhancers that facilitate better penetration or distribution of the pesticide. Adjuvants do not fall into the category of specific pesticide classes such as pyrethroids or serve as disinfectants for tools like pruners. Understanding the role of adjuvants is crucial for effective pesticide application, as they can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of the active ingredients in a pesticide product.