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Cresmer™ 350: A tank-mix adjuvant for post-emergence herbicide in the India market

Targeted at the India market, Cresmer 350 is a chemical blend of vegetable oil ester and ammonium sulphate in water, stabilised using high-end emulsifiers. In this article, we will be focusing on stability, physical compatibility and field trial studies of Cresmer 350 against a market standard in a maize field using a Topramezone SC herbicide formulation.
young maize crop

Role of tank-mix adjuvants in enhancing herbicide performance

Adjuvant technology has immense contribution in the development of sustainable agrochemical practices. In recent years, tank-mix adjuvants have received remarkable attention from pesticide formulators while developing sustainable herbicide products. The use of adjuvants not only improves the herbicide performance, but it also helps to reduce the pesticide dosage to per unit area and thereby the impact on environmental pollution and public health. Topramezone is a maize specific early post emergent herbicide against major narrow & broad leafy weeds. This type of herbicides does require tank-mix adjuvants to improve their effectiveness by reducing surface tension, reducing contact angle, improving penetration, water conditioning, and improving spray formation and retention. Combining all such ingredients in a single formulation and ensuring its compatibility with herbicide formulation and robust stability at extreme atmospheric conditions is a formulation art.

Field trials using Cresmer 350

The aim of the field trial was to determine Cresmer 350’s physical compatibility as a tank-mix adjuvant with a Topramezone 33.6% SC formulation through phytotoxicity and efficacy studies. 

Samples studied

  • Commercial sample of Cresmer 350 (Figure 1)
  • Topramezone formulation (market formulation of Topramezone 336 g/l (w/v) SC)
  • Market adjuvant standard (ammonium sulphate and methyl soyate based adjuvant available with a Topramezone 336 g/l (w/v) SC market sample)
     

Cresmer 350 sample

Figure 1: Cresmer 350 sample

Results

The performance of Cresmer 350 in a laboratory as well as in the field has been compared and found to be equivalent with the market standard adjuvant sample.

A. Physical performance in lab:

Table 1 compares the specification and stability parameters of the market standard adjuvant and Cresmer 350.

Market standard adjuvant and Cresmer 350 comparison

Table 1: Market standard adjuvant and Cresmer 350 comparison

As revealed from the above comparison, Cresmer 350 meets all specification parameters. It is stable and remains in a flowable liquid form at low (0 oC) to high (54 oC) temperature throughout its shelf-life, i.e. minimum 2 years. Therefore, it is very much suitable as a tank-mix adjuvant across the geographies. As a tank-mix adjuvant, it forms a stable suspension on dilution in 342 ppm hard water along with the Topramezone 336 g/l SC formulation, under CIPAC guideline. In comparison a cream formation was noticed for the standard market adjuvant under the same conditions.

Dilution of Cresmer 350 with Topramezone SC formulation

Figure 2: Dilution of Cresmer 350 with Topramezone SC formulation, at RT

B. Field trial results:

  • Phytotoxicity

Phytotoxicity at standard and double dose was recorded at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days after application. Phytotoxicity was recorded using yellowing, stunting, necrosis, and epinasty as per the phytotoxicity rating scale as below.

Phytotoxicity Rating Scale

Figure 3: Phytotoxicity rating scale

There was no phytotoxicity reported in the present investigation for maize crop.

  • Weed control efficiency

A pre-treatment and a post treatment weed population at 30 DAA & 60 DAA were counted and recorded to calculate weed control efficiency using the following formula.

Weed Control Efficiency

The results showed that the weed control efficacy of the Topramezone SC formulation using Cresmer 350 adjuvant is as good as the market standard adjuvant.

  • Yield data

To determine yield, the weight of ears with husk was taken per replicate plot and recorded. It was found that the yield from the plots treated with Cresmer 350 was equivalent to the market standard adjuvant.

Conclusion

Cresmer 350, a tank-mix adjuvant for a Topramezone 33.6% SC herbicide is fully commercialised and well established in the Indian market for maize fields. The phytotoxicity and efficacy field trial data generated shows its equivalency with the market standard adjuvant. The product is locally made and meets all specification parameters. Cresmer 350 has the potential to be used as a tank-mix adjuvant with other herbicide actives like Imazethapyr, Glyphosate, Trifluralin, Triazine for domestic as well as export formulations.

This article is featured in Pestology magazine – India’s only techno-commercial agrochemical magazine.

To find out more information on Cresmer 350 contact us here.

*Note: Cresmer 350 is only available in the India market

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