Whether it’s protecting a golf course from crabgrass or a soybean field from redroot pigweed, pesticides play a crucial role in preventing weed takeovers. There is a delicate balance in the way pesticide chemical products are mixed and applied that can significantly impact their effectiveness. Following proper mixing order can alleviate foam, sludge, broken emulsions, and other reactions that can occur through mixing. One way to ensure optimal mixing is to follow the WALES, WAMLEGS, or APPLES acronyms.
Mixing order acronyms provide a structured sequence for adding different types of agricultural chemicals to the mixing tank. These orders allow users to optimize the dispersion and distribution of the chemicals, ensuring uniformity and effectiveness during application. The benefits to following a structured mixing order sequence include uniform mixing, enhanced efficacy, reduced equipment issues, and improved efficiency.
Following the proper tank mixing order reduces the likelihood of problems during mixing, and contributes to a successful application.
In short, by following the proper mixing order, users can achieve a more uniform and effective chemical mixture, resulting in better performance – improved turf quality or increased yields.
WALES is an acronym that helps define the proper mixing order for complex tank mixes. Following these steps in order is imperative to a successful pesticide application.
Often in the form of finely ground particles, wettable powders are the first component to be added to the mixing tank. Similarly, water dispersible granules, water soluble packets, and dry flowables all need to be added at the beginning of the mixing process. These chemicals are usually soluble in water and require thorough agitation to prevent clumping and ensure even distribution within the tank.
After adding the components listed above, it is important to agitate the mixture. Agitation ensures that the particles are fully suspended in the tank and prevents settling. This step helps maintain a consistent concentration of the active ingredient throughout the application.
Liquid flowables as well as suspension concentrates should be added next. These materials often contain larger particles that may settle over time. By adding them after wettable powders and agitation, they are less likely to interact with the settling particles and form clumps.
Emulsifiable concentrates, including oil-based chemicals, are added after the liquid flowables. These substances require thorough mixing to form stable emulsions. This step ensures that emulsifiable concentrates can mix uniformly without interference from other chemicals.
Solutions and soluble liquids are added last, and these include anything already dissolved uniformly in water, such as surfactants. These materials can act as carriers for the other chemicals in the mixture, ensuring proper dispersion during application. By adding them last, the spray solution helps flush out any remaining residues and ensures that the tank is thoroughly cleaned.
Creating a tank mix in the WALES order ensures the mixture is blended properly so that it performs to its maximum potential.
Many products specify the mixing order on the label. On this adjuvant label, COMPLETION™ is added in step S (Solution) like most adjuvants.
While WALES is a great way to go about tank mixing, there are other similar acronyms that can be helpful. WAMLEGS and APPLES are two other acronyms that can be followed to create an effective tank mix.
WAMLEGS stands for Wettable Powders, Agitation (anti-foaming agents and buffers), Microencapsulated suspension products, Liquid and soluble products, Emulsifiable concentrates, High-Load Glyphosates, and Surfactants. This is very similar to WALES, but adds additional direction for microencapsulated suspensions and high-load glyphosates.
Also similar to WALES and WAMLEGS, APPLES emphasizes the sequence of Agitation, Powder soluble materials (SG, SP, fertilizer), Powder dry materials (DF, WDF, WP), Liquid flowables and suspensions (SC, SE, F), Emulsifiable concentrates (EC, EW, OD), and solutions (S, SL).
Mixing order acronyms provide valuable guidance for users when blending agricultural chemicals. The WALES, WAMLEGS, and APPLES mixing orders offer structured approaches to achieve optimal dispersion, compatibility, and uniformity of agricultural chemical mixtures. By following these guidelines, users can enhance the efficacy of pesticides, fertilizers, and other inputs. In agriculture, this leads to improved crop protection, increased yields, and sustainable farming practices, and in turf, this leads to improved turf health and sustained quality of turf landscapes. It is crucial for users to familiarize themselves with these mixing order acronyms and incorporate them into their chemical application processes to maximize the benefits for their crops and the environment.
Surfactants are widely used across the world – in fact, you probably use surfactants every day in soaps, detergents, toothpaste, cosmetics, and countless other applications. Surfactants are just as important in agriculture and turf and understanding how and when to use the right surfactant can make or break a successful application.
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