Oklahoma Applicators License Core Practice Exam

What is the primary reason for adding adjuvants to pesticide formulations?

1. To reduce cost

2. To increase effectiveness or safety

3. To eliminate odors

4. To change color

The correct answer is: To increase effectiveness or safety

Adding adjuvants to pesticide formulations primarily serves to increase effectiveness or safety. Adjuvants are substances that enhance the performance of a pesticide by improving its physical and chemical properties. They can help in various ways, such as improving the spread and adhesion of the pesticide on plant surfaces, enhancing its penetration, or altering the droplet size for more effective application. By improving these aspects, adjuvants can ensure that the active ingredients in the pesticide are more efficiently delivered to the target pests or plants, thus increasing the overall efficacy of the pesticide treatment. Additionally, some adjuvants can help to reduce the potential harm to non-target organisms, which enhances safety both for the applicator and the environment. In contrast, while reducing cost and changing color might be beneficial in some cases, they are not the primary purposes of adding adjuvants. Similarly, eliminating odors is not a typical function of adjuvants in pesticide formulations.