WETCIT™ FAQ

WETCIT is a highly effective spray adjuvant designed for use with insecticides, miticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, defoliants, and fertilizers. WETCIT is designed for superior spreading, penetration and uniform distribution. The Non-Ionic (NIS) chemistry in WETCIT enhances the physical and chemical properties of the spray solution and assists in overcoming water repellent surfaces (leaves, bark, fruits, etc).

The product contains a blend of natural plant-derived extracts with wetting agents. This combination of components, collectively known as OROWET technology, is patented in various countries worldwide. This technology is unique and differentiates WETCIT from other adjuvants, giving the product a new mode of action and highly effective spreading properties depending on the rate of application.

The manufacturing process has a very low environmental impact and low energy consumption. Using WETCIT poses very little risk to the environment or the spray operator. The product is degraded naturally in the environment.

In various independent trials it has been proven that the efficacy of commonly used insecticides, miticides and fungicides can be improved through the use of WETCIT as a wetting agent.

No special precautions are necessary.  The operators in the field that will apply the product should use the general safety operation procedures for the application according to the specifications of the pesticide used with WETCIT and the type of spray they intend to do.

WETCIT causes no phytotoxicity at the doses and recommendations indicated on the label. Considering the continuous introduction of new agrochemical partners and different varieties of vegetable and crops, it is recommended to evaluate the selectivity of WETCIT on small surfaces before proceeding. For more detailed information please refer to the label or to the local ORO AGRI technical adviser.

In a standalone spray, WETCIT will not cause phytotoxicity at the doses indicated on the label.  However, caution should be used with some agrochemicals which are known to be “hot” and with combinations of a number of products in the tank mix. The reaction of some new plant cultivars which have recently on to the market may not be known.   When in doubt, it is recommended to spray a small area before full scale application.  Avoid spraying during periods of high plant stress.

For more detailed information please refer to the label or to the local ORO AGRI technical adviser.

The spreading and penetration ability of WETCIT can boost the performance of the tank mix partner characteristics. If the tank mix partner has any risk of causing phytotoxicity, be cautious with the rates and usage of WETCIT since it will intensify these characteristics.

Special care should be taken when spraying WETCIT with sulphur under high temperature conditions on crops known to be sensitive to sulphur burn. WETCIT should not be applied with copper-containing products during flowering or any other copper-sensitive stage of the crop.

Mixtures of WETCIT with agrochemicals should be used with caution when the fruit is present on Table grapes, Clementine, Pears, Pomegranates or Persimmons since ring-burn may occur on these fruits if subject to frost. Application pre-bloom or post-harvest may be done as recommended by your advisor

In general, the pre harvest interval on the label of the accompanying agrochemical should be followed.  There is no evidence of increased residue levels. (MRL)

Trials are regularly being done in combination with new pest and disease control products on various crops. Contact your representative for the latest information.

WETCIT can be applied at any convenient time, during day or night, but it is recommended to respect good application practices guidelines, follow the label indications of the chosen agrochemical partner and WETCIT use restrictions. Applications during sensitive stages of crop or during extreme climatic conditions are not advisable. For more information please refer to your local ORO AGRI advisor.

Use of WETCIT will cause drying (desiccation) of plant cells that were damaged by insect activity or fungal infections. This may show up as brown “burn” marks but is not an indication of further damage.  Desiccation of these cells will further prevent the development of the insect or disease, for example, the wounds caused by egg laying of leaf miners.   Furthermore, desiccation of these cells will prevent secondary infections from fungi that usually take place through these wounds.

Much of the Honey-dew that is secreted by insects such as aphids or mealy bugs will be washed off after spraying with a WETCIT mixture.   The remaining honey-dew is less attractive for ants. Sooty mould that would normally develop on honey-dew, may affect the aesthetic appearance of fruit. With the use of WETCIT, sooty mould dries out and becomes flaky, making it easier to remove during the packing process, thereby improving fruit finish.

The regular use of WETCIT prevents repercussions of secondary pests such as mites, which can be a problem when silicone based adjuvants are used.

Plant surfaces treated with WETCIT will be re-wetted if dew or light rain occurs after treatment. This will prevent the formation of large droplets and speed up drying time. Re-wetting also assists with the re-distribution of chemicals on the plant surface.

WETCIT will immediately spread the spray mixture over the plant surfaces, providing a thin layer which can last for 1 to 10min over the canopy surface depending on the type of surface and weather conditions.   Because the spray mixture in thinly spread, the canopy will dry off faster, leaving less chance for opportunistic fungi such as downy mildew to take hold.  The protection offered by waxy leaf surfaces is unaffected.

WETCIT has a unique characteristic associated with its mode of action which differentiates it from other adjuvants, called its RE-WETTING ABILITY.  WETCIT is able to maintain a lowered water surface tension on hydrophobic surfaces for a period of 5 to 10 days after spraying.   This unique ability enables subsequent sprays during that period to benefit from better spreading functionality and more even distribution of treatments even if WETCIT is not used in that spray.

Further, because the RE-WETTING ability of WETCIT maintains a lowered surface tension, the formation of water droplets on leaves, fruits and bark after wet conditions (rain, irrigation, morning dew) is inhibited, leaving instead a thin film of water which evaporates quickly.   The faster and more efficient drying of the canopy makes conditions for fungus development less favourable and helps to maintain fruits and vegetables of better quality.

Another benefit of the RE-WETTING ability of WETCIT is shown in coverage treatments, such as copper, mancozeb or sulphur, which are not mobile, and which tend to protect only the tissues which were contacted at the time of spraying. As the leaf or fruit grows, it would normally grow out of the protective shield.  However, because of the lowered surface tension caused by WETCIT, even the moisture from normal atmospheric humidity will allow the shield to RE-WET and stretch to cover new growth. Thus, the RE-WETTING ability of WETCIT promotes better plant protection during the time of the functionality of the PPP partner and protects new vegetable tissues formed during that time.

The RE-WETTING ability of WETCIT is directly related to the type of leaf and the duration of this ability is related to weather conditions, sprays, and irrigations that may remove it from the leaves.

WETCIT dosage rates vary from 0,1% to 0,3% (100-300 ml/100l of water). At lower rates, you can expect improved spraying performance but poor penetration attributes especially on very waxy surfaces. Higher rates increase the penetrating ability of the tank mix partner.  Other factors which need to be taken into consideration are the surface characteristics (canopy size, leaf hydrophobicity, etc) of the crop we are spraying, the conditions of those surfaces (wet or dry) and the general climatic conditions present at the time. (wind, temperature, humidity, etc).

Where low water volume is applied, as with herbicides or fungicides (e.g. on cereals) at approximately 100 l/ha, it will be advisable to use the higher rate of WETCIT as per label.

Where a high-water volume is used in season, e.g. on citrus, WETCIT should be applied at maximum rate of 100-200 ml/100l of water. If  excessive run-off is experienced, adjust to lower volumes as needed.

The maximum rate allowed on the label can be used with high volume applications aimed at mealy bug or scale on surfaces that are difficult to wet, for example on the bark of deciduous fruit and grapevines during dormant applications, The higher rate is particularly useful to improve efficacy where high infestation levels occurred during the previous season.

Each country has specific rules and registrations so always follow label instructions and rates. For more information please read the label instructions for your country.

WETCIT must be applied with foliar sprays. Application of WETCIT may be made in various ways, for example, high volume mistblower, low volume concentrated spray,  aerial application, backpack, electrostatic sprayer, etc.

Further recommendations:

WETCIT dissolves and mixes easily.  To prevent excessive foaming, always add WETCIT last to the tank mixture when the tank is nearly full.

Old spray residues in spray tanks and pipes may be dissolved by WETCIT. This could result in some crop or leaf damage. It is recommended that prior to the first application rinse out with 100ml of WETCIT in 200 liters of water.  Regular use of WETCIT will keep your equipment clean and nozzles free of blockage.  Read the ORO AGRI Crop Guidelines for more specific guidelines on your crop.

WETCIT is approved for use in organic production in some countries (Austria, Germany, and Slovakia) and not approved as organic in others due to different countries laws and regulation.  Please always refer to the specific data present on the label and to the local ORO AGRI advisor in your area for more information.

WETCIT by itself does not leave any residue in or on plants or fruits but being an adjuvant, the residue levels of the accompanying tank mix partner must be considered.

Laboratory studies have shown that the use of WETCIT does not increase the maximum allowable residue levels of the tank mix partner when used at the maximum recommended label rates of both products.

WETCIT has outstanding soluble and miscible properties that differentiate it from oil-based adjuvants. These properties make WETCIT highly effective even when the surface being sprayed is wet. However, since the surface water will dilute the concentration of the mixture, we recommend that you increase your standard rate by 25% to 50% (depending on the amount of water present on the canopy surface) to guarantee the best performance.

Tests have shown that agrochemical sprays of systemic products like glyphosate are rain fast within 20 minutes on broadleaves and 30 minutes on grasses.  This is because of the penetrating ability of WETCIT which can take accompanying chemicals through the leaf surface into the phloem of the plant.   At ORO AGRI, we call this TRANS-PHLOEM technology.

Experience has shown that WETCIT is compatible with most crop protection products, herbicides, and foliar fertilizers. Do not mix WETCIT with other products unless prior tests (including small-scale phytotoxicity tests) have shown the combination to be physically compatible, effective and non-injurious to the target crop under local conditions.

If in doubt about the compatibility of mixtures, it is recommended to contact the Oro Agri technical representative of your area.

WETCIT by itself doesn’t provide any direct nutrition to the plant. However, it can be an outstanding adjuvant for foliar fertilizers boosting their ability to penetrate the leaf surface and be distributed in the vascular system of the plant.