Pesticide Surfactant Systems. A Multiplicity of Surfactant Physical Properties Employed to Improve the Biological Effect

Abstract

Surfactants were originally included in pesticide formulations as wetting agents, emulsifiers and dispersing agents to enable the product to be prepared as a dilute aqueous system for spraying. They were also added to the spray tank to aid droplet adhesion and wetting of foliage. In recent years higher concentrations are being used to enhance the performance of pesticides by increasing uptake into the plant.