Effect of additives in the Neem formulations on deposition,volatilization and persistence of Azadirachtin in spruce foliage

Abstract

Foliar deposits, volatilization and persistence of azadirachtin‐A (AZ‐A) were investigated after application of four spray mixes prepared from a wettable powder (WP) and three emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations of neem. They were applied at the dosage rate of 50 g AI in 4 L/ha onto potted spruce seedlings in a laboratory spray chamber. Droplet‐size spectra and deposits were assessed using Kromekote^® card/glass plate collection units. Foliar residues [dislodgeable residues (DR), penetrated residues (PR) and total residues (TR)] of AZ‐A and their volatilization were measured by HPLC at different intervals of time up to 60 h after treatment. Differences in the droplet‐size spectra and deposit levels were observed among the four spray mixes due to the influence of additives present in them. Dissipation half‐lives (DT₅₀) of the DR, PR and TR in the foliage were low (range, 19.5 to 38.9 h) and varied according to the residue type and the spray mix used. The DT₅₀ values of the DR were consistently lower (range, 19.5 to 31.9 h) than those of the PR (range, 30.5 to 38.9 h) due to preferential loss of the surface residues. The low DT₅₀ values observed for the DR and TR in the foliage sprayed with the WP spray mix were attributed to the particulate nature of the deposit. AZ‐A volatilized appreciably from the DR rather than from the PR. The variations found in the amounts of AZ‐A volatilized (42 to 58%) and unaccountable (38 to 46%) from the initial TR values in spruce foliage, after 60 h, were attributed to the physical form of the deposits on the target surface and the influences of additives present in the different spray mixes.