The Pesticide Application Technology Lab supports the safe and efficacious application of approximately 900 million pounds of active ingredient applied annually to U.S. cropland through sound and scientifically proven research methods. The lab conducts a combination of laboratory, greenhouse, and field drift trials along with greenhouse and field efficacy trials to understand how to best maximize efficacy from pesticides while minimizing the unintended effects from those applications.
The purpose of the lab is to better understand how to control weeds, diseases and insects in agricultural production systems most effectively. The research of the lab is focused on improving application practices that will maximize pesticide efficacy through the use of nozzle selection, spray solution, pressure and sprayer modifications. The lab also prioritizes finding application practices that will minimize pesticide drift and environmental contamination.
