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Types of Crop Dusting Chemicals

The term "crop duster" was coined because the early applications were nearly all products delivered in powdered form. The powder would drop as dust down on the crop after being released by the low flying aircraft. Today's crop dusters, better defined as aerial applicators, spray a variety of products in a variety of formulations.

  1. Herbicides

    • Aerial application of herbicides for weed control is often used in actively growing crops. Often, the alternative --- spraying with conventional tractors and sprayers --- would cause physical damage to the plants by crushing them with the wheels of the equipment or breaking tall plants with the booms on the sprayer. Some herbicides need to be applied prior to the planting of the crop. In wet springs, these products can be applied in a timely fashion by air, even if the fields are too muddy to be covered with ground-based sprayers.

    Insecticides

    • Most agricultural insecticides have to be sprayed at a specific time to be most effective. Either the weather or seasonal timing is conducive to the emergence of an insect pest, or the crop is most vulnerable to insect pests at a specific stage of growth. For instance, spraying sunflowers to control sunflower moths works best when the flowers are pollinating. Not only does aerial application ensure there's no damage to growing crops, it's quick. Large acreage can be covered in relatively little time.

    Fungicides

    • As with spraying for insects, potential fungal and rust outbreaks in crops need to be addressed during a specific window of opportunity before the damage to the crops is widespread or severe. Aerial application is the perfect answer. Many fungicides need to coat as much of the plant surface as possible to be effective. The prop-wash from the airplane or down-draft from the helicopter rotors helps ensure the plants are well coated, top to bottom.

    Fertilizer

    • Few crops are grown without the application of chemical fertilizers. Aerial applicators can be used to apply needed nutrients at specific stages of growth. The added cost is offset by not having to over-apply prior to planting to ensure enough nutrients are still available when the plant requires them. Most plants are capable of absorbing nutrients through their leaves as well as by root uptake. Aerial application is the perfect way to apply foliar fertilizers.

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