Wetting and adhesion behavior on apple tree leaf surface by adding different surfactants

This study was conducted to investigate the wetting behavior of different surfactant solutions on the leaf surfaces of apple during the fruit formation stage.

Five surfactants, including C₁₂E₅, Tween-20, Triton X-100, DTAB, and SDS were evaluated in this study. The contact angle, surface tension, adhesion tension, work of adhesion, and solid-liquid interface tension of droplets on the leaf surface were determined by the drop method.

The results showed that the nonionic surfactants C₁₂E₅ and Triton X-100 had better wetting effects than other surfactants. Moreover, when the concentration of C₁₂E₅ and Triton X-100 was 1 × 10^-3 mol/L, the leaves reached a completely wet state. Toxicity measurement showed that the incubation rate of Carposina niponensis eggs decreased gradually with increasing content of C₁₂E₅ or Triton X-100. Additionally, field efficacy analysis showed that adding C₁₂E₅ or Triton X-100 significantly improved the beta-cyfluthrin 3% water emulsion (EW) against C. niponensis.

These results indicate that the surfactants C₁₂E₅ and Triton X-100 can significantly improve pesticide application, which will be helpful for reducing pesticide use and developing new pesticides.