Early autumn field spraying

After harvesting, as autumn approaches, farmers begin preparing for new sowing and the first applications of plant protection products. Increasingly, farmers are opting not only for traditional pesticide mixtures but also enriching them with adjuvants, which not only enhance effectiveness against weeds and plant diseases but also contribute to more sustainable farming practices.

Weeds develop resistance to pesticides – a problem to solve

"An escalating issue is that weeds and other plant pests develop resistance to pesticides, rendering them less effective as plant protection tools. This is true for soil herbicides, glyphosates, and other types of pesticides. Therefore, solutions are needed to address this problem," said Gintarė Klasauskaitė, Product Manager at the biotechnology company Nando.

She explained that one of the primary causes of resistance in weeds and pests is the repeated use of the same active ingredient in plant protection products, as well as a failure to follow crop rotation principles.

"Farmers, in their pursuit of short-term profit, sometimes overlook what could be beneficial both technologically and in terms of long-term field hygiene. If crop rotation is minimal or not as recommended by technology guidelines, it creates additional sources for negative factors—such as the spread of plant diseases and the growth of weeds," Klasauskaitė elaborated.

Additionally, the use of herbicides in Lithuania is subject to certain restrictions at both national and European Union levels.

What are adjuvants?

To address these issues, Nando offers two adjuvant products: Periterra, intended for use with soil herbicides, and Periplus Leaf, used for spraying pesticides on plant leaves. Both innovative products belong to the adjuvant category. Adjuvants enhance the potential of plant protection products and fertilizers, improve the effectiveness of mixtures, reduce the amount of water sprayed, and adapt solutions to environmental conditions.

Periterra increases the effectiveness and penetration of herbicides, ensuring better absorption by both plants and soil, especially clay soils. This is particularly important in autumn, when weather conditions are unpredictable. Periterra reduces the impact of wind drift (the spread of droplets) and prevents the solution from migrating too deep into the soil, ensuring that active ingredients remain in the target area for longer.

Periplus Leaf accelerates the absorption of active ingredients through leaves, regardless of their waxy coating. This is especially important during the fluctuating weather of autumn. The adjuvant is effective not only when used with plant protection products but also when applied alongside foliar fertilizers.

Benefits: both economic and environmental

"Both products not only enhance the impact of pesticides but also allow their use to be optimized, achieving the same or better results with lower-than-maximum rates. By using these adjuvants with mixtures, farmers can achieve better results with a smaller pesticide dose. Additionally, adjuvants reduce water usage by up to 30%, meaning that with the same sprayer capacity, a larger area can be treated. Advanced farmers understand and value this, as investments in innovative products pay off significantly," Klasauskaitė explained.

When to use?

Periterra is typically used at the end of August or the beginning of September, when preparing for sowing. Periplus Leaf is used later, once crops have sprouted and there is green mass. Of course, both products can be applied during subsequent sprayings.

Nando’s biotechnological products provide effective and sustainable solutions for upcoming sprayings, helping farmers achieve better results with less negative environmental impact.