Devices, systems, and methods for agrochemical detection and agrochemical compositions

An apparatus for detecting, measuring and quantifying the amount of at least one agrochemical in an environment, the apparatus comprising:

• a light source
• a spectrophotometric device comprising a detector positioned to receive light from the light source after the light has been transmitted through or reflected by said environment, wherein the spectrophotometric device is configured to measure intensity of the received light as a function of wavelength to determine spectral characteristics of the received light;
• and
• at least one processor configured to measure a concentration of said agrochemical using the spectral characteristics of the received light and measure an application use rate of the agrochemical using the spectral characteristics of the received light.

A method for detecting, measuring and quantifying the amount of at least one agrochemical in an environment, the method comprising:

• receiving light from a light source after the light has been transmitted through or reflected by said environment;
• measuring intensity of the received light as a function of wavelength to obtain spectral characteristics of the received light;
• determining a concentration of said agrochemical using the spectral characteristics of the received light;
• and
• performing at least one of the following steps based on the determined concentration of the agrochemical:
• cleaning agricultural equipment defining the environment with a cleaning agent;
• ceasing cleaning agricultural equipment defining the environment;
• using agricultural equipment defining the environment with another agrochemical;
• refraining from using the agricultural equipment defining the environment with another agrochemical;
• disposing of rinsate in agricultural equipment defining the environment;
• adding cleaning agent to rinsate in agricultural equipment defining the environment;
• spraying another agrochemical from agricultural spray equipment defining the environment;
• refraining from or ceasing spraying an agrochemical solution having another agrochemical agent in agricultural spray equipment defining the environment;
• refraining from treating seeds with a seed treatment comprising another agrochemical agent using seed treatment equipment defining the environment;
• treating seeds with a seed treatment comprising another agrochemical agent using seed treatment equipment defining the environment;
• generating a dispatch alert indicating that a residue of the agrochemical is present in the environment when the environment is expected to be substantially free of the agrochemical;
• adding a detoxifying formulation to a solution in agricultural equipment defining the environment;
• generating a dispatch alert indicating that the concentration of the agrochemical in agricultural equipment defining the environment is at a safe zone concentration;
• determining compliance with crop loss insurance requirements;
• adjusting one of a crop loss insurance premium rate and a crop loss insurance deductible;
• advancing a production process for an agrochemical product to a subsequent processing step;
• delaying advancing a production process for an agrochemical product to a subsequent processing step;
• determining whether to clean a returned drum defining the environment;
• cleaning a returned drum defining the environment;
• and
• refraining from cleaning a returned drum defining the environment.

A method for evaluating use of an agrochemical, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid that includes the agrochemical;
• receiving light from a light source after the light has been transmitted through or reflected by at least a portion of the fluid;
• measuring intensity of the received light as a function of wavelength to obtain spectral characteristics of the received light;
• determining a concentration of the agrochemical in the fluid using the spectral characteristics of the received light;
• dispensing the fluid, wherein the step of receiving light from the light source comprises receiving light that has been transmitted through or reflected by a portion of the fluid that is flowing as the fluid is being dispensed;
• determining an application rate of the agrochemical as the fluid is being dispensed;
• comparing the determined application rate to a desired application rate for the agrochemical;
• and
• adjusting a flow rate at which the fluid is dispensed based on the comparison between the determined application rate and the desired application rate.