As I was spraying this weekend, I thought about adding water at the end and have a question. If the goal of AMS or other water conditioner is to 'neutralize' cations in the water before the pesticide can be affected. Why add the pesticide at 1/2 tank rather than fill the entire tank with water, and after agitation with AMS, then add the pesticide. Adding pesticide, then adding 1/2 tank of unconditioned water seems to negate the AMS at least to some degree, by contact of pesticide and unconditioned water. It seems as though the pesticide and adjuvants should be added to a fully conditioned tank.
Good question Dadnatron, Simply put it’s a question of dilution and timing; Fill tank with at least 2/3rd of total volume and then add water conditioner. This provides sufficient total volume for the likes of granular AMS to disperse, additional time is required for some granules to dissolve and disperse, as demonstrated in the video. Typically the spray tank is still filling with water whilst you are allowing the AMS to disperse so by the time you start to add your pesticides you have a tank that is 80% full or more. When adding the pesticides be sure to follow the correct mixing order, by formulation type, as set out in the following mixing guide - bit.ly/2HIJcZa - remember to do your own research and get professional advice when necessary. A key thing to note here is that the glyphosate is not being added until the spray tank is at least 90% full. When you add the pesticides they fully disperse (mix) throughout the entire volume of the solution, the new water is only being introduced into a limited space (volume) within the tank before being mixed with the treated solution and reacting with the AMS. So the total amount of pesticide that might come into contact with un-conditioned water is limited. So long as the water is of reasonable quality then any adverse effects on the pesticide is very limited. If the water quality was more questionable, i.e. harder with a high concentration of cations then yes, it may be advantageous to increase the treated volume to above 90% before addition the pesticides. Ultimately it’s a consideration of water quality and operating time. The key point demonstrated in the video is to have sufficient total volume and to allow enough time to ensure that the AMS has full dissolved, before adding pesticides. Any undissolved, suspended AMS particles will quickly combine with the pesticide. Also, check out grdc.com.au/grownotes-sprayapplication for more in depth info, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at grdc@grdc.com.au
Ammonium Sulphate has very low solubility, which is why it needs a lot of water to dissolve it. Its also endothermic, meaning it will absorb heat while being dissolved, and the lower temperature further depresses the solubility. Taking longer allows heat to be recovered from the surrounding atmosphere. @Dadnatron, he's adding herbicides, not pesticide :o)
He never established what the mixing ratio total for each in the solution. Just kept saying 60% of the tank water? How about giving us a volume example and the amount of Ammonium Sulfate vs Water to make fertilizer. That would have been more useful than your rule of thumb for farmers who apparently have a standard tank?
Hello Sir , just found your videos been looking hi & lo for more detailed view of spraying AMS , I have a warm season hybrid bermuda turf was wondering if you can point me in direction of your massive amount a videos to where i can find a chart to mix & apply ams , to my turfgrass and knowing how much Nitrogen im applying any help ?
Great Tips!
Excellent video. Thank you. Sometimes, see what you already think you know really hammers it home.
Glad it hear you liked it and that it helps to hear advice you already know in different ways.
As I was spraying this weekend, I thought about adding water at the end and have a question. If the goal of AMS or other water conditioner is to 'neutralize' cations in the water before the pesticide can be affected. Why add the pesticide at 1/2 tank rather than fill the entire tank with water, and after agitation with AMS, then add the pesticide.
Adding pesticide, then adding 1/2 tank of unconditioned water seems to negate the AMS at least to some degree, by contact of pesticide and unconditioned water. It seems as though the pesticide and adjuvants should be added to a fully conditioned tank.
Good question Dadnatron,
Simply put it’s a question of dilution and timing;
Fill tank with at least 2/3rd of total volume and then add water conditioner. This provides sufficient total volume for the likes of granular AMS to disperse, additional time is required for some granules to dissolve and disperse, as demonstrated in the video.
Typically the spray tank is still filling with water whilst you are allowing the AMS to disperse so by the time you start to add your pesticides you have a tank that is 80% full or more.
When adding the pesticides be sure to follow the correct mixing order, by formulation type, as set out in the following mixing guide - bit.ly/2HIJcZa - remember to do your own research and get professional advice when necessary.
A key thing to note here is that the glyphosate is not being added until the spray tank is at least 90% full.
When you add the pesticides they fully disperse (mix) throughout the entire volume of the solution, the new water is only being introduced into a limited space (volume) within the tank before being mixed with the treated solution and reacting with the AMS. So the total amount of pesticide that might come into contact with un-conditioned water is limited.
So long as the water is of reasonable quality then any adverse effects on the pesticide is very limited.
If the water quality was more questionable, i.e. harder with a high concentration of cations then yes, it may be advantageous to increase the treated volume to above 90% before addition the pesticides.
Ultimately it’s a consideration of water quality and operating time.
The key point demonstrated in the video is to have sufficient total volume and to allow enough time to ensure that the AMS has full dissolved, before adding pesticides. Any undissolved, suspended AMS particles will quickly combine with the pesticide.
Also, check out grdc.com.au/grownotes-sprayapplication for more in depth info, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at grdc@grdc.com.au
Ammonium Sulphate has very low solubility, which is why it needs a lot of water to dissolve it. Its also endothermic, meaning it will absorb heat while being dissolved, and the lower temperature further depresses the solubility. Taking longer allows heat to be recovered from the surrounding atmosphere.
@Dadnatron, he's adding herbicides, not pesticide :o)
He never established what the mixing ratio total for each in the solution. Just kept saying 60% of the tank water? How about giving us a volume example and the amount of Ammonium Sulfate vs Water to make fertilizer. That would have been more useful than your rule of thumb for farmers who apparently have a standard tank?
Hello Sir , just found your videos been looking hi & lo for more detailed view of spraying AMS , I have a warm season hybrid bermuda turf was wondering if you can point me in direction of your massive amount a videos to where i can find a chart to mix & apply ams , to my turfgrass and knowing how much Nitrogen im applying any help ?
the ammonium sulfate will dissolve more quickly in hot water...