Saponin

What is Saponin?

Saponin is a natural wetting agent based on extracts from the Yucca Schidigera, a member of the Lily family (Agavaceae). This plant contains exceptional sugar derivatives that enable it to survive under the extreme conditions of the desert. These sugar derivatives, together with polymers, are isolated from the plant extract using a special process. The combination of these two substances in Saponin gives a strengthened, multi-functional effect, which means that Saponin can be used as a wetting agent. Saponin improves the effectiveness of crop protection preparations, reduces the amount of visible residue, and ensures that the crop dries more quickly.

Saponin is very special because it is 100% natural, unlike many other wetting agents which are often of synthetic origin.

Saponin is based on natural plant extracts, and is therefore very safe for your crop.

It is completely biologically degradable and does not cause leaf burn. Saponin is easily mixed with (cold) water and chemical crop protection preparations.

How does Saponin work?

Lowering the surface tension
Saponin works in a similar way to other wetting agents. Lowering the surface tension of the fluid means that the fluid (and thus also crop protection preparation) spreads better over the crop. This means that the crop protection preparations work better, and it prevents residues. Moreover the fluid layer on the crop is thinner and therefore dries more quickly.

Safe for the crop
Various trials have demonstrated these effects of Saponin in many crops. These tests also show that Saponin is entirely safe for the crop. The crop is soon dry, there is no growth inhibition and the effectiveness of crop protection preparations is better.

Fungal diseases have less chance
Saponin can not only be used as a wetting agent when spraying crops with crop protection preparations, but also as a crop dryer after irrigation. A crop that dries more quickly has less risk of fungal diseases.

Application

* As a wetting agent:
Saponin is commonly used as a wetting agent when spraying crops. Mixing with chemical crop protectors:

1 to 2 litres per 1000 litres of water.

* As a crop dryer:

Saponin is often also used to dry the crop after irrigation with water and nutrients over the crop. When Saponin is used in the final minutes of the irrigation, the crop will dry faster.

Depending on the crop and weather:

1 to2 litres per hectare is mixed in at the end of the irrigation cycle.

* Fruit farming: 5 litres per hectare.