Tank Mixing Chemicals (Pesticides)

and Cleanout
What to Do!
James Zahand

Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC

Take Home Message

Avoid Tank Mixing Products unless you have
experience with the mixture

Start with clean equipment

Follow label mixing directions

Clean out equipment thoroughly

Pesticide Interactions and Compatibility

Additive effects - same response as the combined effects of
each pesticide when applied alone (1+1=2)
Synergistic responses - greater response than the added
effects of each pesticide when applied separately (1+1=4)
Antagonism - applied together produce less control than if you
applied each pesticide separately (1+1=-1)
Enhancement - another type of interaction, but not between two
pesticides - occurs when a pesticide is mixed with an additive to
provide a greater response than if you applied the pesticide
alone such as when adding an adjuvant or fertilizer

Formulation types
Dry Formulations
-

Soluble powers
Wettable powers
Water dispersible granules
Granules
Dusts

Gas Formulations
-

Gas
Vapor
Fume
smoke

Liquid Formulations
-

Emulsifiable concentrates
Aqueous soluble liquids
Suspension concentrates
Emulsions
Suspension emulsions
Oil dispersions

Wettable Powders ( WPs)

Active ingredient is impregnated
onto a dry carrier
When added to water the powder
disperses
Can be dusty

Product

Wettable
powder

Dispersed solid a.i.

Water

Dilution

Water Dispersible Granules (WGs)

When added to water the granule
disintegrates and the active
ingredient is dispersed

Product

Usually less dusty

Water
dispersible
granules

Dispersed solid a.i.

Water

Dilution

Emulsifiable Concentrates (ECs)

Active ingredient (a.i.) dissolved in a
solvent (oil) with added surfactant
When the EC is added to water the
formulation is dispersed as small
emulsified oil droplets

Product

EC
Emulsion
(oil droplets in water)

Dilution of Product

Aqueous Soluble Liquids (SLs)

A solution of active
ingredient in water.
Product

Aqueous
solution
Dilute aqueous
solution

Dilution

Suspension Concentrates (SCs)

Active ingredient has low water

solubility, and is dispersed in
water as small particles.

Product

Water

Dispersed
solid a.i.
Dilution

Emulsion - Oil in Water (EW)

Active ingredient is dissolved in
oil phase with a surfactant.
When added to water it forms a
stable emulsion

Product

Water
Oil droplets
containing AI

Diluted Emulsion

Suspension Emulsions (SEs)

Is a mixture of active ingredients
with different phys/chem
properties e.g. Florasulam +
fluroxypyr (Starane Flex)
One active is dissolved in oil and
a second a.i. is dispersed as
small solid particles

Product

Water

Dispersed
Solid a.i.
Oil droplet
(emulsified in water)
Dilution

Oil Dispersions (ODs)

Product
Is a mixture of active ingredients
with different phys/chem
properties e.g. Florasulam + Oil phase with Product
dissolved a.i.
fluroxypyr
+ pyroxsulam (GoldSky)

One a.i. is dissolved in an oil

phase containing a second a.i.
and a third a.i. is dispersed as
small solid particles

Oil
Dispersed
solid a.i.

Dispersed
Dissolved
a.i.
solid a.i.
Water

A.i. in
Oil droplets

Dilution

Water temperature and pH

Cold water can be a major problem.
Consider the pH of your water source. Well water and city water
often contain high amounts of calcium, iron and magnesium
hard water. (pH 9.6 to 10.4) This can reduce effectiveness of
Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) herbicides
Low pH or acidic tank mixes will adversely affect certain
herbicides.
Fertilizers can affect the pH. Phosphate fertilizers are acidic,
while nitrogen fertilizers are alkaline. When dissolved, the
solution can have a pH of 8.0 to 8.5 and may become even more
alkaline over time.
Avoid letting tank mixes sit overnight because the pH can
change and reduce the effectiveness of the spray mixture.

General Mixing Order

50% of required water volume, or water fertilizer mix
Water Conditioners/Acidifiers
Wettable/Dispersible Powders
WDGs (Dry Dispersible granules)
Oil dispersions
Flowables (Suspension conc.)
ECs (Emulsifiable concentrates)
Emulsions (Micro and Suspension Emulsions)
Water Soluble concentrates (Soluble powers and liquids)
Adjuvants
Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC

The label is the law

Read the label Mixing Directions
Sometimes the label requires an alteration to
the general mixing order

Mixing Directions Example PowerFlex* HL

Fill tank with total amount of water and start agitation
Add PowerFlex
Add adjuvants (NIS and fertilizer)
Do not mix with products containing dicamba, or amine
formulations of 2,4-D or MCPA .
Do not tank mix with organo-phosphate insecticides.
Always perform a jar test to ensure the compatibility of products
to be used in a tank mix.

Mixing Directions Example Instinct* II

Instinct* II can be added to liquid N combined with herbicides
and insecticides. A jar test may indicate the need for a
compatibility agent. Mixing is recommended in the following
sequence:
1. Add Instinct* II (and compatibility agent if needed)
2. Add wettable powders or flowables
3. Add Emulsifiable concentrates
Be sure to maintain continuous agitation during the mixing
cycle.

Mixing Directions Example Lorsban*

Lorsban 4E label reads
Lorsban 4E is compatible with insecticides, miticides, and
fungicides and non-pressure fertilizer solutions commonly
recommended except for alkaline materials such as lime.
When tank mixing Lorsban 4E with herbicides, add wettable
powers first, flowables second, and emulsifiable concentrates
last.
When a fertilizer solution is involved, it is recommended that a
compatibility agent such as Unite or Compex be used.
Maintain agitation during both mixing and application to ensure
uniformity of the spray mixture.
Do not allow spray mixtures to stand overnight.

Jar Test Example Lorsban* 4E

Test compatibility of intended tank mixture before adding
Lorsban 4E to spray tank.
Add proportional amounts of each mix ingredient to a pint or
quart jar, cap, shake, and let set 15 minutes.

General Signs of incompatibility

Settling
Solid residues
Separation of liquids
Heat
Lumps
Gel

What to do if you find signs of incompatibility

DO NOT MIX

Some dos and don'ts

You should pre-dissolve dry flowable herbicides (including
those in water-soluble film packets) in water prior to adding
to fertilizer mixtures
Avoid mixing concentrated products together before mixing
in the tank.
Be wary of copper mixtures, a number of products dont mix
well

Cleanout
Clean the equipment in an area that will not contaminate
The best method for rinsate disposal is in the field consistent with
the label.
Use a tank-cleaning agent to penetrate, loosen, and dissolve
pesticide residues and then to remove them.
Household ammonia is effective at penetrating and loosening
deposits and residues
Chlorine bleach can inactive some compounds. Chlorine bleach
can combine with fertilizers containing ammonia to produce
dangerous chlorine gas.

General cleaning guidelines

Avoid drying and hardening of pesticide residues by cleaning the
equipment immediately following an application.
Be sure to clean the entire system, (operate the pump and flush
the cleaning solution through all hoses, strainers, screens,
nozzles, and boom.
Rinse the entire system with clean water.
Consult the label

Take Home Message

When mixing pesticides and additives
- Start with clean equipment
- Understand the type of products you are mixing
- When in doubt do a jar test

Follow label mixing directions

Clean out equipment thoroughly

Thanks for your attention.

Questions