Codacide oil—herbicide reducing technology

The vegetable oil adjuvant, Codacide, has recently been given an organic symbol by the Soil Association (UK), in addition to existing awards received from the Organic Farmers and Growers and the Guild of Conservation Grade Producers. Codacide is a vegetable oil micro emulsion carrier which improves the accuracy of spraying which has enabled substantial reductions in spray rates. It improves the control of droplet size, reducing wastage from drift and evaporation by up to 80%. Codacide is the only adjuvant authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture with all approved spray products and tank mixes. Being a vegetable based product, it is biodegradable.

Substantial reductions in glyphosate

Recent trial data has suggested that the herbicide glyphosate can be used at considerably reduced rates in conjunction with Codacide.  Against scentless mayweed (Figure 1), creeping thistle and volunteer wheat, as little as 0.25 l/ha of Roundup gave in excess of 80% control when applied with Codacide.  Financial savings can also be made without compromising effective weed control. At the rate of 2.0 l/ha for annual weed control the cost of Roundup (containing glyphosate) can cost as much as £26.00 per ha; at the standard rate of 2.5 l/ha, Codacide costs £3.65 per ha.

Microcide Ltd, Shepards Grove, Bury St. Edmunds, IP31 2AR, UK, Tel. 0359 51077.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 22, December 1993, page 19]