Oil-Based Adjuvants

Oil adjuvants are another class of activator adjuvants that work as penetrants by dissolving the waxy cuticle of plant leaves. However, oil types are not equally effective at breaking down plant cuticles.

Paraffinic or phytobland oils work well as base oils for traditional COCs, or newer High Surfactant Oil Concentrates (HSOC). HSOCs represent newer technology, with a higher surfactant load that allows for better tank mix compatibility and a lower use rate while still delivering the right amount of oil.

Seed oils are also used in oil adjuvants and may be modified through a process of methylation to further improve performance. The best seed oils for performance, particularly under tough environmental conditions, are canola and soybean oils that are methylated to maximize performance and safety.

High Surfactant Methylated Seed Oils (HSMSO) are also available with the same features as an HSOC, which feature a lower use rate and better tank mix compatibility.

Oil based adjuvants are best used on a per acre basis to ensure enough oil is delivered to maximize pesticide efficacy. Traditional percent volume to volume (%v/v) recommendations risk not supplying enough oil, particularly as spray volume per acre goes down.