Training & Education

Learning and continuous improvement is at Exacto, Inc.’s core, so we are sharing videos and presentations that we find quite useful.

Our goal is to bring this useful information to the public and increase understanding by facilitating this communication and learning opportunity.

If you seek further information or have questions about our educational materials, please contact us.

Adjuvants can be divided into two types of use categories:

Assist in Activating the Active Ingredient

  • Water Conditioning Agents
  • Compatibility Agents
  • pH Modifers
  • Surfactants
  • Penetrants
  • Sticker-Spreader Extenders

Assist in Active Ingredient Application 

  • Drift Control Agents & Deposition Aids
  • Tank Cleaners
  • Foam Controllers
  • Scent Masking Agents
  • Pattern Markers
  • Tackifiers

Exacto, Inc Concept Demonstration - Measuring Surface Tension

This video from Exacto demonstrates how a formulation’s surface tension is measured using a Force Tensiometer. The Force Tensiometer measures the force needed to break the surface tension of a liquid. Surface tension measures the spreading ability of surfactants and other adjuvants. A solution with a lower surface tension is better able to spread across and wet a greater area of the target.  Read our chemist’s blog post about surface tension for more insight.

Exacto, Inc Concept Demonstration - Measuring Surfactancy with Draves Test

This video from Exacto demonstrates how a formulation’s surfactancy is measured using the Draves Wetting test. Draves Wetting tests the ability of a surfactant solution to permeate a cotton skein. The faster the skein falls, the better a surfactant wets. Read our chemist’s blog post about Draves Test for more insight.

Exacto, Inc Concept Demonstration - Droplets Spreading on Leaf Surface

This video from Exacto demonstrates the visible impact surfactants can have on how droplets spread on plant leaf surfaces. Adding a surfactant to an application solution reduces the surface tension of individual droplets; allowing them to spread further across a leaf surface faster than solutions that do not include surfactant.

Did you Know?

Adjuvants have been around as long as pesticides.
Over 200 years ago, growers used adjuvants like tar and tree sap to help fungicides stick better on grapes.