The main adjuvant types
Surfactants (NIS)
Reduce surface tension so droplets spread and stick to waxy leaves instead of beading off. The most common activator adjuvant.
Crop oils (COC/MSO)
Oil-based; help active ingredients penetrate the leaf cuticle. Powerful — but can raise crop injury risk, so follow the label.
Drift-reduction agents (DRA)
Thicken the spray to produce larger, more uniform droplets that resist drift — especially relevant for low-volume drone work.
Water conditioners (AMS)
Tie up hard-water minerals (like with glyphosate) so they don't reduce herbicide activity.
Correct mixing order — remember W-A-L-E
- Start with the tank ½–¾ full of clean water and agitation running.
- W — Wettable/dry products (WDG, WP, dry flowables).
- A — Agitate fully until dispersed.
- L — Liquids & flowables (SC, SL).
- E — Emulsifiable concentrates (EC), then adjuvants last (surfactant/oil), and finally AMS if used (some labels put AMS first — follow the label).
- Rinse each container, add rinsate, top off with water, keep agitating until sprayed.
Labels always override this general order. When two products' labels conflict, stop and check with the manufacturer.
The jar test (30 minutes that saves a tank)
- In a clear jar, add water proportional to your tank rate.
- Add each product in the same order you'd use in the tank, shaking between each.
- Let it stand 15 minutes. Watch for clumping, curdling, gels, or separation.
- If it stays uniform, you're likely compatible. If it separates, don't tank-mix those products.
General extension guidance; the product labels are the legal authority on adjuvants and mixing. Pairs with the tank-mix calculator and label guide.
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