Because of this impact on the product’s end result, Pacific Ag Group as a company maintains an active research interest in application equipment and field testing of new technologies. This focus involves both light and heavy equipment engineering and design validation, as well as quality assurance in the use of appropriate application methods in all efficacy and environmental fate studies among the research staff. Through standardized ASTE methods, certified engineers routinely evaluate the degree of precision of pest control applications ranging from solid granules, ULV applications, to high volume/high speed conventional boom sprayers. Even highly corrosive fumigant products that exist as gasses, and still must be injected into the sub-soil at precise rates, are mastered by the technical staff at Pacific Ag. This broad experience in application technology is extremely valuable to all our clientele, especially when considering that early compounds are often crude products that require specialized care in handling and application.

Many times, the early success or failure of a pest control research program may depend on how these primitive compounds are applied. Those experienced with product application mishaps cite several factors, such as:

• Whether a suspension was achieved in the mix tank
• If adequate coverage of the target crop was obtained
• If the droplet size was optimized
• If partial or complete tip plugging occurred
• If the pressure used caused phytotoxicity

Many such effects are the result of the application technology and not the product per se. Our experience in this area sets us apart as researchers with a focus on this important aspect of product performance.