 this time;
- add the wettable (W) powders;
- agitate (A) the spray solution;
- add the liquids (L); and,
- add the emulsifiable concentrates (E) to the spray solution last.
Adding the emulsifiers to the tank first makes it very difficult for the wettable powders to evenly mix into the spray solution. During this entire process, the agitation systems should be operating to keep the solution mixed during the filling process. After adding each material to the tank, the pH of the spray solution should be checked to make sure it is not too high or too low. Any necessary pH adjustments should be done as needed prior to the addition of pesticides. Once all materials are added and mixed, the tank should be filled to the desired level based upon the desired mixture concentration. If possible, the agitation system should be running until the entire tank mixture is applied. If the entire spray mixed volume is not able to be applied, the tank agitation system should be run for a sufficient time to ensure all materials that may have settled to the bottom of the tank are evenly mixed back into the spray solution.
Source of information: Applying Pesticides Correctly, Fred Fishel, SM1, University of Florida.
Stephen H. Futch is an Extension agent at the Citrus Research & Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL.