Stickers and Spreaders: Getting the Spray to Work
Adjuvants that decide how much of what you spray actually reaches the leaf surface — and how much of it is still there after the next shower.
Stick 80 Sticker and Activator
STICK 80 Stick 80 – Non Ionic water-soluble liquid adjuvant that acts as a spreader, sticker, and activator. It is…
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Silmate
Silmate for Crop Protection (Sticker & Spreader) Silmate offers perfect versatility, seamlessly complementing all types of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and…
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A spray only works on the tissue it touches and stays on. Leaf surfaces on many crops are waxy and water-repellent: droplets bead, roll off and are lost to the ground before the active ingredient can be taken up or form a protective film. A spreader lowers the surface tension of the spray solution so droplets flatten and cover more leaf area from the same volume. A sticker improves adhesion and rain-fastness, so the deposit survives dew, overhead irrigation and rainfall instead of washing off.
The economics are unusually favourable. An adjuvant is a small fraction of the cost of the product it is carrying, and it acts on every rupee of that product. A crop protection spray that beads off a waxy leaf, or washes away in a shower two hours later, has cost the full price and delivered a fraction of the result — and the fix is often visible in a reduced number of repeat sprays across the season.
Use with care
More is not better. Over-dosing an adjuvant can cause run-off, and on sensitive crops or in strong sunlight can risk leaf scorch, so rates should follow the label rather than judgement. Compatibility with the product being sprayed, and with anything else in the tank, is worth confirming before mixing.
Indochem Agrovet supplies sticker and spreader products for use with the crop protection and nutrition range. Rates and compatibility are on the product pages; where a combination is not covered, contact us before mixing.
Frequently asked questions
What does a sticker and spreader do?
A spreader lowers the surface tension of the spray solution so droplets flatten and cover more leaf area instead of beading up on a waxy surface. A sticker improves how well the deposit adheres, so it resists being washed off by rain, dew or overhead irrigation.
Do I need an adjuvant if I am already spraying a good product?
A spray only acts on the tissue it reaches and remains on. On waxy leaf surfaces, or where rain is likely within a few hours, a large share of an application can be lost regardless of how good the product is. The adjuvant is a small fraction of the cost and acts on the whole spray.
Can I use more adjuvant for better coverage?
No. Over-dosing can cause run-off, and on sensitive crops or in strong sunlight it can risk leaf scorch. Follow the rate on the label.
Is it compatible with any spray?
Compatibility depends on what is in the tank. Check the product documentation, and contact Indochem Agrovet before mixing a combination it does not cover.