Alvin Rhodes, a technical service representative with BASF, addressed the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) at its annual conference to discuss new techniques that can increase efficiency, spray coverage and lower spray volumes of aerial applied crop protection products.

New data from field tests Rhodes conducted in the Louisiana and Mississippi Delta region this season, spraying Headline® fungicide over soybean crops, found that a decreased spray volume applied with simple nozzle adjustments actually increased the amount of fungicide collected by plants as opposed to the amount which ended up on the ground. Increasing the deflection of the nozzles on the aircraft reduced the size of dispersed droplets, allowing them to penetrate deeper layers on the soybean plants without falling to the ground. Applicators are required to use a crop oil with emulsifier properties when spraying at the lower volume.

“The smaller droplets still collect on the canopy, but allow for superior penetration to the lower levels of the plants as well. Applying products in this manner can help provide protection to the lowest leaves on a crop without the aid of a crosswind,” Rhodes said. “The result is not only better coverage but increased efficiency, as the lower spray volume allows applicators to cover more acres, more quickly. That’s important at a time of the year when there are significant acres to cover in a matter of days.”

The Louisiana test with Headline showed that with proper nozzle setup, applications at a lower volume of 2 gallons per acre resulted in equal coverage to all levels of the soybean plants when compared to a volume of 5 gallons per acre. These results of the comparison were in-line with field tests conducted in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico earlier this year and consistent with the lower water volume label for aerial application of Headline fungicide that was approved by the EPA in May. “Providing the best possible coverage fosters healthy plant growth. That is the best way a grower can maximize their yield and see the kind of results that a product like Headline can produce,” Rhodes said.

Earlier this year, Kip Cullers harvested his world-record soybean crop in Purdy, Mo, after treating his crop with aerial Headline applications. Cullers’ soybeans produced an average of 120 pods per plant and over 139 bushels per acre, by far the highest yield average of soybeans recorded by the USDA.

“You don’t want any disease pressure out there. That’s why Plant Health™ is so important to maximizing yield,” Cullers said.

Ed Newberg of Hector, Minn., has noticed that cornfields treated with Headline grow healthier plants as well. “Earlier in the season from the air, the fields that had a Headline application looked darker because the plants were holding moisture much better. Later in the season, the fields with Headline looked lighter because there was less disease – smut, anthracnose and other fungus. Those fields looked better from the air because they were healthier and cleaner.”

For more information about Headline fungicide and other BASF crop protection products, visit www.agproducts.basf.com

With sales of €3,298 million in 2005, BASF’s Agricultural Products division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry.
BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Agricultural Products division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful.
BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of more than €42.7 billion (approximately $50.4 billion) in 2005. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.