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Optima pH

Hard and alkaline water used for spraying reduces the treatment effectiveness.

Description

In a sprayer, hard, alkaline water of high pH may cause precipitation of an active substance from the pesticide in the working solution. This reduces the treatment effectiveness. It is a consequence of an adverse effect of mineral compounds, calcium, magnesium, iron, and sodium, present in alkaline and hard water. The incorrect water pH strongly reduces effectiveness of foliar NPK or microelement fertilisers used to spray crop plants.

By using the conditioner, the correct pH of water used for the working solution is achieved. This way, deactivation of an active substance from pesticide or foliar fertilisers is prevented. A reduction in the pH of water for the working solution improves the treatment effectiveness.

The optimum working solution pH is usually ca. 5.5, but its value depends on the pesticide type. The use of the water conditioner Optima pH also decreases the surface tension of the liquid used for spraying. Therefore, a lower number of droplets flows down the surface of sprayed plants, and their retention is increased. Furthermore, they do not dry as quickly, and this stimulates active substance penetration into plant tissues, and in the case of systemic fungicides, improves its transport in organs of the protected plant. Optima pH facilitates the pesticide penetration into the plant.

  • Conditioner - binds Ca, Mg, and Mn cations, improving the quality of water for treatments. It reduces the water hardness, thus improving effectiveness of pesticides and foliar fertilisers.
  • An indicator, a colouring agent - when it is added to water, ligh yellow means pH of 6.5 and higher, salmon pink corresponds to pH of 5.0, and raspberry pink means pH of 4.5 or lower.
  • An activator - by ensuring appropriate opening of stomates it significantly increases and accelerates absorption of the working solution from the leaf surface into the plant.   

Optima pH contains a colouring agent that colours the water, depending on the obtained water pH value. The water pH value obtained with our conditioner added can be evaluated visually using the colorimetric scale provided on the label.

The dose size depends on the water hardness and the pH level that is to be achieved. We recommend starting with a dose of 50 mL/100 litres of water, and gradually increasing the dose until a colour corresponding to the required pH is reached (see the colorimetric scale). The product can be poured directly into a sprayer or other containers used for spreading fertilisers. When used as a foliar fertiliser, use at a concentration of: 0.15–0.2%.

Mixing

Optima pH mixes with most common plant protection products used in plant cultivation, excluding mineral oils. Do not mix with strongly alkaline liquids. In the case of sensitive crops, first test on several plants, before the product is used on greater scale.

See also