Abstract: | The chemically different adjuvants ‘Agral’, ‘Bond’, ‘Codacide Oil’, Li 700, ‘Silwet L’-77, and ‘Headland Guard’ were assayed to determine their effects on the rainfastness of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation of the organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos. Cabbage leaves were each treated with 200×0.25-μl droplets of diluted formulation using a hand-held microapplicator. Droplet deposits were left to air-dry for 1 h prior to exposure to simulated rainfall. Rain fastness was assessed using GC residue analyses of treated leaves after exposure to 10, 20 or 30 min simulated rainfall. The results indicated that the latex-based adjuvants ‘Bond’ and ‘Headland Guard’ induced a statistically significant increase in rainfastness, results for the other adjuvants assayed being either not significant or inconclusive. The results are discussed within the context of using adjuvants to enhance insecticide efficacy. ©1999 Society of Chemical Industry |