Why Granular?
Pesticide active ingredients, (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) control products (Plant Growth Regulators and Insect Growth Regulators) and nutrients (microorganisms and micronutrients) are delivered to the soil and plants in a variety of ways to treat crops, turf, ornamentals, and other green spaces.
A conventional way of delivering these products to their intended targets is in a liquid form. Liquid pesticide delivery systems and methods, however, have certain drawbacks and shortcomings.
They can be costly, potentially harmful to the environment and may not be as effective in delivering an active ingredient to its targeted soil or plant destination.
One of the most effective ways to deliver good nutrition and pest control in the crop and non-crop markets is with a granular “carrier” delivery system.
Dry "flowable" granular carriers offer significant advantages and benefits for the application of pesticides and other control products over liquid formulations and delivery systems.
As such, granular formulations and products can be a valuable and profitable asset in an established portfolio.
Granular products are easy to formulate, easy to apply, safe, effective and environmentally responsible.
Key advantages of granular formulations compared to liquid pesticide formulations include:Economic Benefits of Granular Carriers:
- Reduced labor time to refill and apply liquid
- Increased application convenience
- Reduced cost of equipment, maintenance requirements, calibration of spray equipment, and protective clothing
- No clean-up costs that are typically associated with spray equipment and chemicals
- Eliminates risk of liquid spill clean up costs
- No “wasted” or lost material – granules can be recovered and reused
Environmental Benefits of Granular Formulations:
- Eliminates risk and costs of Spray Drift
- Eliminates accidental spills, spill consequences and costs
Safety Benefits of Granular Formulations:
- No Spray Drift exposure to people or environment
- According to several state, national, and international organizations, granular pesticide formulations are among the safest available pesticide formulations; National Ag Safety database, United Nations FADINAP, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
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The National Ag Safety Database (NASD): "It’s particularly important to remember that highly concentrated and highly toxic chemicals, especially liquids and gasses, present the greatest danger. Generally, wettable powders, dusts and granular pesticides are not as easily absorbed through the skin and other body tissues as are the liquid forms." |
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: NYSDEC has passed legislation requiring pesticide applicators to provide client’s neighbors 48 hour pre-notification of pesticide applications. However, this law provides flexibility for counties to provide an exemption from these requirements when commercial applicators use granular formulations. |
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The United Nations FADINAP-Fertilizer Advisory, Development and Information Network for Asia and the Pacific indicates: "Protective equipment is uncomfortable to work in, particularly under tropical weather conditions. Therefore, whenever there is a chance, choose the least hazardous pesticide and use the safest type of formulation. For instance, granular formulations are safer to handle than liquid concentrates." |
Application Benefits of Granular Carrier Formulations:
- Easier to target specific locations and species
- Able to apply in virtually all climates and seasons
- Able to do spot treatments
- Work well with all established industry application equipment
- Easier, cleaner and safer to handle
Efficacy Benefits of Granular Formulations:
- Work effectively with all types of AI’s treatments
(soil activated, foliar etc.) - Longer residual time and control
- Not overly dependent on moisture to activate
The Biodac® granular carrier, manufactured by Kadant GranTek Inc., is a well-established granular carrier used in crop and non-crop markets globally. Biodac granules offer formulators, applicators, and users significant advantages and benefits as a dust-free granular carrier.