The Biobased adjuvant
PINEYE™ EC EMULSION

Although consumers increasingly prefer organic produce, pesticide residues remain a concern in many regions. In China, a vegetable safety‑compliance rate of 97.4% was reported (CMOA, 2011), even as monitoring continues to identify residues. Historical data note spray intervals of roughly every 10 days in April, tightening to every 5–7 days in summer before easing to around 15 days in October (Dong Qinli, 2009). Leafy vegetables often exhibit the highest detection rates and multiple residues because large leaf surfaces are directly exposed to pesticides during application.

One study reported that 45% of farmers considered the pre‑harvest interval, 38% considered it to some extent and 17% did not consider it (Tong Xia, 2014). More than half of respondents believed that higher toxicity implies better efficacy, underscoring a persistent misconception that can undermine safe and effective pesticide use.

Re‑spraying pesticides can contribute to residue burdens and higher input costs. Rainfall can wash pesticides from foliage, particularly when it occurs within 24 hours of spraying. When applications precede a rain event, the need to reapply depends on the product’s rainfastness, the amount and timing of rainfall, and whether the pesticide is a contact protectant or a systemic that can be absorbed into leaf tissue.

In performance testing, the deposit rate of PINEYE™ EC emulsion was measured at 6.6623 mg/cm². When tank‑mixed with pesticides, the pine‑resin polymer enhances spreading and coverage across the leaf surface. After spraying, the emulsion dries within about an hour to form an elastic film on the surface. This film can entrap droplets within a microstructured matrix, improving retention and rainfastness by reducing direct wash‑off of the pesticide and other additives.

The key ingredient in PINEYE™ EC emulsion is a biobased polymer, intended to be environmentally considerate and crop‑safe for applications on flowers and fruit. In comparative testing, it yielded a contact angle of 44.50°, versus 55.48° for an organic‑based comparator, evidencing improved wetting. This aligns with established guidance that lower contact angles correspond to better wetting on crop leaves.

Soil is an ecosystem, and its pH is affected by fertiliser use; over‑application and low fertiliser‑use efficiency can disrupt soil health, with acidification a major concern. For example, reported nitrogen‑use efficiencies have been near 28.3% for rice, 28.2% for wheat and 26.1% for maize; application rates often span roughly 46–276 kg/ha for rice, 60–383 kg/ha for wheat and 37–360 kg/ha for maize, suggesting that more than 70% of applied nitrogen may remain in the soil rather than being effectively utilised by crops (Program 948, CMOA).

According to a study by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Chinese cropland soils have undergone significant acidification since the 1980s, with multi‑decadal surveys reporting marked pH declines across major production regions. Nitrogen inputs stimulate proton production and nitrate leaching, leading to accelerated soil acidification and losses of exchangeable base cations, which can erode soil fertility and, over time, degrade field productivity (Meng Hongqi, 2012).

In many cases, PINEYE™ EC emulsion can be diluted with water and then tank‑mixed with pesticides. Where labels permit, prioritising biopesticides with terpene‑based actives is advisable. A common dilution is 1:100 v/v with water; however, final rates should follow the label and be confirmed by a jar test and proper mixing order to ensure compatibility.