Scientists from Tyumen State University (TyumSU) have proposed an innovative approach to enhance the effectiveness of plant protection products (PPPs) during dry weather conditions. Their groundbreaking research, published in the journal Fluid Dynamics, aims to solve a critical problem that significantly impacts agricultural productivity worldwide.
As detailed by TyumSU, the effectiveness of many conventional plant protection agents drastically diminishes when humidity levels are low. This is primarily because the tiny droplets of these preparations evaporate too rapidly, preventing them from properly adhering to the plants` surfaces. This issue creates a significant hurdle for farmers, making it difficult to treat fields effectively during periods of drought, precisely when young crops are most susceptible to diseases and pests.
The Innovative Technology Explained
The innovative technology developed by TyumSU is the culmination of extensive, multi-year research focused on understanding droplet clusters, which are a specialized form of two-dimensional aerosol. This foundational knowledge has now been successfully translated into a practical solution for critical agricultural challenges.
The core of the proposed method lies in the creation of specialized droplet solutions that incorporate various carefully selected additives. This sophisticated approach enables precise control over the physiochemical processes occurring within the droplets. By meticulously optimizing the composition of these preparations, researchers can integrate components that significantly enhance droplet stability. Crucially, this extends the effective application window, allowing for more successful treatments even in arid regions and under challenging dry climatic conditions.
Alexander Fedorets, Head of the Microhydrodynamic Technologies Laboratory at TyumSU`s Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), underscored the potential impact of this significant breakthrough. «Our development can become a valuable tool for companies manufacturing chemical plant protection products,» Fedorets stated, «enabling them to formulate products that are highly effective for use in more arid regions and under a wider range of dry climatic conditions.»
Key Scientific Discovery and Support
During their in-depth investigations, the scientists made a pivotal discovery: the complex behavior of formulations comprising multiple substances within a microdroplet cannot be accurately predicted by merely analyzing the properties of individual components in isolation. This crucial insight highlighted the indispensable need for a dedicated experimental instrument capable of providing direct, real-time observation and analysis of such intricate systems, thereby facilitating a more precise improvement of their chemical formulas.
The unique and specialized equipment essential for implementing this innovative method was entirely developed by the laboratory`s own team at TyumSU`s X-BIO Institute. This in-house development further emphasizes the originality, ingenuity, and self-sufficiency of the research effort undertaken by the Tyumen scientists.
These groundbreaking studies received significant financial backing from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) as part of their commitment to scientific advancement, specifically under project No. 24-29-00303.
