Key Points
This technical data sheet provides an overview of the key factors influencing spray oil quality.
Quality = Effectiveness + Safety
Spray oils vary considerably in quality. It is important to understand how they differ so you can use the right oil in the right circumstances.The quality of the spray oil you use will define two things;
- Effectiveness
How effective it will work in helping control fungal disease and pests. - Safety
How safe it will be to the fruit, tree and environment.
So how do we determine how safe and effective a spray oil will be? Below is a checklist that provides an effective guide to ensuring product quality. SACOA’s premium horticultural oil BIOPEST® is used to illustrate the points made.
| Factor | Discussion | Example – BIOPEST |
|---|---|---|
| 1. VIRGIN OIL | Spray oils should originate only from a virgin mineral oil, NOT recycled oils. | BIOPEST® is produced from a pharmaceutical grade virgin paraffinic mineral oil. |
| 2. PRODUCT PURITY | Impurities are generally a grower’s worst enemy when applying spray oils. Impurities, when exposed to sunlight, oxidise and form acids on the leaf and fruit surfaces and in certain conditions ‘burn’ the plant. So how can we measure purity?A widely accepted measure is Unsulphonated Residue level (USR or UR). Base oil quality and the level of product refinement will determine a spray oil’s USR. This measures the absence of potentially damaging impurities (referred to as aromatics and other unsaturates) in oils spray oil should not contain any more than 8% impurities (ie, 92% USR). | BIOPEST®offers less than 1% impurities (ie, 99% USR) – the highest level achievable with current refining technology – thereby minimising the potential for plant or fruit damage. |
| 3. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION / PARAFFINIC CONTENT |
Mineral spray oils are developed primarily from the lubricant portion of petroleum and are composed essentially of hydrocarbons – compounds containing hydrogen and oxygen.
There are three types of these molecules found in spray oils which are important in understanding how spray oils work, or don’t work:
These three classes are important because the percentage of paraffin chains in an oil is a primary influence on how effective it will be in fungal and pest control. Also, the amount of aromatics in the oil is a primary influence on the potential for plant damage (refer discussion above). A quality foliar applied spray oil should comprise at least 60% paraffinic molecules. |
BIOPEST® comprises 74% paraffinic molecules. |
| 4. ACTIVE CONSTITUENT | Spray oils are required to list the amount of active constituent in the product on the product label. For example BIOPEST® ‘s is 815g/L of paraffinic oil.What does this mean? It means that by weight, BIOPEST® contains 815g of paraffinic oil in every litre of product. It is less than 1kg because of two things:
In terms of pest and disease management what is important in this measure is the type of oil used. Is it a paraffinic oil? |
BIOPEST® ‘s is 815g/L of paraffinic oil.
|
| 5. ‘WEIGHT’ OF THE OIL | How long a spray oil remains on a pest or foliage will strongly influence how effective it will be. And how long it remains will depend greatly upon its molecular size or ‘weight’, as measured by carbon number.Carbon number (e.g. nC24) measures the number of carbon atoms in each molecule of oil and is used to indicate an oil’s molecular size or ‘weight’. Common carbon number values of spray oils are nC21, nC23, nC24 and nC25.
This factor will influence its sticking ability ie, the heavier the oil the greater the sticking power and residual contact. There is a trade-off however, as there is also a greater potential for plant damage. |
BIOPEST® is an nC24 rated oil, whereas most of its competitors are lighter eg, nC21. As BIOPEST® is uniquely pure it will keep the active on the plant longer without damaging the plant or fruit. |
| 6. DISTILLATION TEMPERATURE RANGE (BOILING RANGE) | The distillation range is obtained by subtracting the distillation temperature where 10% volume is distilled from the temperature at which 90% volume is distilled.A ‘narrow range’ oil is a highly refined oil that has a ‘narrow range’ of temperature distillation.
This ensures that the level of the more volatile, low boiling components and the level of the less volatile, high boiling components are both low. The low boiling components evaporate too quickly to be effective, and the high boiling components stay on the plant too long and could damage it |
BIOPEST® is a highly refined narrow-range oil. |
| 7. SURFACTANT QUALITY | Surfactant quality can have a significant impact on mixing and spraying by assisting the mixing of the oil with water, and improving the wetting, spreading and penetrating properties of the oil. | All of SACOA’s products contain rapidly biodegradable emulsifiers, reducing the potential for phytotoxicity. |
| 8. REGISTRATION AND ORGANIC CERTIFICATION | Products should be registered with the APVMA for their intended use pattern, and should be certified organic if variety of applications eligible. | BIOPEST® has the most extensive APVMA approved label for horticultural applications
BIOPEST® is certified organic by Australian Organic.
|
| 9. RESEARCH RESULTS | Product quality and efficacy should be supported by independent research results in the lab and field. | Ten years of independent work by a range of state government, university and industry researchers. |
| 10. PRODUCT SUPPORT | What support does the product have? | • Ongoing research into use in tree cropping, cotton, bananas and broadacre. • Extensive supporting data and documentation available |
This data sheet should act as a guide only and no purchase or usage decisions should be made based on the information provided without further advice.
Disclaimer and Copyright
This document should act as a guide only and no purchase or usage decisions should be made based on the information provided without obtaining independent, expert advice. SACOA and contributors do not necessarily recommend or endorse any products or manufacturers referred to. SACOA Pty Ltd will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information contained in this document. More information is available from SACOA via sacoa.com.au or 08 9386 7666, or by contacting your local reseller.
© 2020 SACOA Pty Ltd All Rights Reserved. SACOA and the GREEN S icon, ENHANCE, CROPSHIELD, PLANTOCROP, BIOPEST, XSEED, ANTIEVAP, STIFLE, SE14 and LURE H2O are registered trademarks of SACOA Pty Ltd.