“…I usually say that a safe spray operation is only possible when you have good equipment…”
Hamilton Humberto Ramos is a scientific researcher at the Center for Engineering and Automation of the Agronomic Institute – IAC.
Ramos holds a degree in agronomy, with a master’s and Ph.D. from São Paulo State University.
AgriBrasilis – How can pesticides be applied safely?
Hamilton Ramos – The safe application of a pesticide depends on several factors, starting from the product purchase, through its transportation to and within the farm, its storage, the actual application, and the disposal of leftovers and packaging. Each of these phases has specific aspects that ensure safe use.
Regarding the application specifically, I usually say that a safe spray operation is only possible when you have a good piece of equipment (no leaks, good agitation system, proper filters, spray nozzles within their lifespan, etc.), properly calibrated (appropriate speed, correct droplet size, reduced losses, good target coverage, etc.), and operated by a trained person (able to identify the need to adjust the settings or even stop the application if necessary).
AgriBrasilis – What are the key factors in Application Technology (AT) to ensure proper pest and disease control?
Hamilton Ramos – To ensure proper management, the first step is to determine whether the application is necessary, which involves the principles of integrated pest and disease management. Once the application is deemed necessary, the goal of Application Technology is to “place the biologically active product (chemical or biological) on the target, in the required amount, in a cost-effective way, and with minimal contamination of non-target areas.”
Therefore, it’s essential to know the biological target (where the pest is located on the plant), the chemical target (where the product needs to be placed to reach the pest), the timing of application (preventive or curative, pre- or post-emergence, etc.), the environmental conditions at the application site and time, and the maintenance and calibration conditions of the sprayer. There’s no single most important factor – all of them contribute to successful spraying.
AgriBrasilis – What are the differences in AT between biological and chemical products?
Hamilton Ramos – In terms of Application Technology, the principles are the same. However, certain concepts differ, such as the chemical target, spray mix preparation, and required target coverage. For each type of product—chemical or biological—there is a most suitable Application Technology.
“We evaluate the functionalities of adjuvants to identify their potential…”
AgriBrasilis – What is evaluated for obtaining the Official Functionality Seal for Agricultural Adjuvants?
Hamilton Ramos – The functionalities of adjuvants are evaluated to identify their potential. When added to a spray mix with a chemical or biological product, an adjuvant either improves the spraying process (utility function) or enhances the effectiveness of the active ingredient after reaching the target (potentiator function). They can have various functions, such as evaporation reduction, drift reduction, surfactant, spreader, etc. Understanding these functions is crucial for choosing the right adjuvant for each spraying scenario.
For example, when using coarse droplets, an evaporation reducer may not be necessary, but a spreader that improves spray coverage might be. On the other hand, fine droplets already provide good coverage, so a spreader might not be needed, but they are more prone to evaporation and may be lost before reaching the target—so an evaporation reducer becomes essential.
At IAC, we have developed methods to individually evaluate these functionalities, providing technical support to adjuvant manufacturers for product recommendations. To obtain the seal, manufacturers must use the testing methods developed by IAC and sign a brand usage agreement with us, which is free of charge.
AgriBrasilis – What is the pesticide application training course at IAC about?
Hamilton Ramos – At IAC, we offer various pesticide application courses. For example, we have the Aplique Bem Program, a partnership between IAC and UPL, which is aimed at applicators and users. These are mobile training sessions conducted on farms in different regions of Brazil, using our specially equipped Tech Móveis (Tech Mobiles). These 8-hour theoretical and practical courses are free for farmers and limited to 20 participants per session to improve learning effectiveness. Since 2007, over 90,000 people in 23 Brazilian states have participated.
We also offer training through the UR – Reference Unit in Technology and Safety in the Application of Chemical and Biological Products. These are offered both online (EAD) and in-person and target instructors and technicians who train others. In addition to pre-designed training sessions, we also offer custom in-company training developed for companies to solve specific issues.
AgriBrasilis – How has the lack of resources impacted the Institute’s research?
Hamilton Ramos – The impact has been severe. For some researchers whose work is more applied, it is still possible to develop projects through partnerships with private companies and foundations such as FUNDAG – Agricultural Research Support Foundation. These partnerships have been crucial for maintaining several research programs.
However, there have been no public hiring calls to replace researchers or support staff, salaries have not been adjusted in over 10 years (reducing interest in the career), and there is virtually no investment in equipment maintenance or infrastructure.
At the Center for Engineering and Automation, we’ve seen a reduction of over 70% in the number of research staff over the past 30 years. This has led to the shutdown of research areas such as machinery testing and alternative energy sources in agriculture. Sadly, our situation is the rule—not the exception.
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