From an environmental perspective, the misuse of pesticides can lead to decreased efficacy, further complicated by potential compatibility issues between mixed products. This not only contributes to resistance but can also cause direct harm to crop, such as observed in specialty crops like cranberries where certain mixes have prevented pollination and crop production.
Shawn P. Conley, Jed Colquhoun, and Damon Smith; University of Wisconsin Madison Professors and State Extension Specialists advise farmers, “We thought it would be a good idea to remind growers to keep your cocktails for happy hour and consider the perils of complex tank mixing!”
Farmers are advised to adopt a more scientific approach when considering tank mixes. This includes understanding each product's active ingredients, verifying their effectiveness through independent studies, and maintaining control strips to observe the actual benefits under real-world conditions.
By embracing research-based decision-making, farmers can ensure that their practices are both economically sensible and environmentally sustainable, avoiding the pitfalls of over-reliance on marketed chemical solutions. They can save their mixology skills for cocktail hour.