Services

SURfaPLUS has the expertise to support you with the design of new adjuvant products for specific applications in different climatic zones. Relevant factors like wetting of the leaf surface, uptake into the target, possible phytotoxic effect and drift/vapour reduction can be included in this design. SURfaPLUS develops such products in collaboration with surfactant suppliers, producers of active ingredients and distributors.

SURfaPLUS has access to facilities (greenhouse, climate chamber and laboratory) and the expertise of Plant Research International in Wageningen, The Netherlands. This institute is part of the Wageningen University and Research Centre (www.wur.nl) which encloses a wide spectrum of expertise and facilities: from fundamental science in surface chemistry and structure-activity relationships to application of new products under agricultural conditions.

Specific services

• Efficacy tests of adjuvant-herbicide and adjuvant-fungicide combinations both under controlled conditions and under field conditions.
• SURfaPLUS offers you a wide experience on investigating the influence of adjuvants on the performance and uptake of the herbicide glyphosate.
• Several laboratory and greenhouse tests to predict the phytotoxicity of adjuvants and formulation constituents.
• Model-systems that give a fair prediction of the adjuvant's potency to enhance wetting and uptake.
• Access to isotope facilities for measuring the influence of adjuvants on the uptake of labeled active ingredients.
• Access to fluorescence technology for an accurate and rapid recording (quantitative and by imaging) of the adjuvant's influence on the activity of photosynthesis-inhibitors and herbicides like glufosinate and glyphosate.
• Access to facilities to measure the influence of adjuvants or formulations on volatilization of the active ingredient.
• Access to an international network for testing adjuvants in different climatic zones, for specific formulation support or measuring drift and drop size distribution.
• Expertise on other factors like weather conditions (rainfall included), soil type and stage of growth on herbicide performance.
• Publication of reports in the public domain (scientific journals, popular magazines, handbooks), support with patent registration. Visualization of adjuvant effects through video-movies etc.
• Indoor trainings regarding the use of adjuvants with agrochemicals.
• Wide experience regarding the handling of secrecy agreements, research agreements and detailed technical protocols.