Sentinel: a highly efficient water softener

Hard water cations (e.g. Ca2+ and Mg2+) can affect the efficacy of sensitive plant protection products by forming insoluble complexes. Sentinel is a highly efficient water softener which works by irreversibly sequestering these hard water cations, turning hard water soft. In contrast, ammonium sulphate-based products work by simply displacing hard water cations and acidifying the spray solution, a reversible process making them less effective. Sentinel has a neutral to negative charge, which aids uptake through the positively charged leaf surface.

What is Sentinel?

Sentinel is a proprietary blend of multi-dentate organic acids, hexametaphosphonates and phosphonates designed to irreversibly soften water without unduly lowering water pH.

How does Sentinel work?

Sentinel works by irreversibly sequestering these hard water cations, turning hard water soft and therefore maximizing the delivery of the PPP active substance to the target site. Its multi-dentate structure allows it to sequester multiple cations at a time more tightly than single structured water softeners

Does Sentinel lower water pH?

Sentinel has a neutral to negative charge, which aids uptake through the positively charged leaf surface. Sentinel is designed to soften water without unduly lowering its pH. If water is too acidic this can reduce the half-life of PPPs in water such as sulfonyl urea herbicides. Over acidifying the spray solution can be as detrimental as hard water cations with significant reductions in efficacy.

Information

Benefits

  • Softens hard water quickly and more effectively than ammonium sulphate-based conditioners
  • Minimises pesticide losses and optimises efficacy.

Contains

Contains sodium hexametaphosphate, d-glucopyranose, oligomers, decyl-ocyl glycosides and organic acids.

Agronomic Guidelines

  • Use to improve efficacy of PGRs, herbicides, insecticides (e.g. Flipper) and other products
  • Does not over-acidify the spray solution so effective with sulfonylurea herbicides
  • Widely compatible but do not use with glyphosate. Use Inferno with glyphosate
  • Add to the spray tank FIRST.
Frequently asked questions

What makes Sentinel different from other water softeners?

Unlike ammonium sulphate-based products, which only displace hard water cations and acidify the spray solution, Sentinel irreversibly sequesters cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. This prevents them from reforming and binding to sensitive plant protection products, ensuring more reliable performance.

Why is irreversibly sequestering cations important?

When cations are only displaced, they can recombine with the active ingredient before application, reducing efficacy. Sentinel’s multi-dentate structure locks them away permanently, ensuring the active ingredient remains available for uptake.

Does Sentinel change spray water pH?

Sentinel is formulated to soften water without significantly lowering pH. Over-acidification can shorten the half-life of certain actives, such as sulfonylurea herbicides, and reduce performance.

How does Sentinel improve uptake?

Sentinel has a neutral to negative charge, which enhances movement of the active ingredient through the plant’s positively charged leaf surface.

Which plant protection products benefit most from Sentinel?

Sentinel is especially effective with PGRs, sulfonylurea herbicides, insecticides like Flipper, and other pH-sensitive chemistry. It should not be used with glyphosate: Inferno is recommended instead.

Is Sentinel compatible with all spray programmes?

Sentinel is widely compatible, but always check product labels and avoid mixing with glyphosate. Add Sentinel to the spray tank first to ensure optimal water conditioning before adding other products.

When should Sentinel be used?

Use Sentinel whenever you are applying cation-sensitive products in hard water areas to prevent losses in efficacy and ensure maximum performance.

Can Sentinel be used in both arable and horticultural crops?

Yes. Sentinel is suitable for a wide range of crops where water conditioning is required, from broadacre arable fields to high-value horticulture.

Find out more about Sentinel