Influence of Surfactants and Plant Species on Leaf Retention of Spray Solutions

Abstract

Spray solutions containing a cationic or a nonionic surfactant were applied to six plant species at a broad range of concentrations. The species investigated were three weeds (black nightshade, chamomile, and quackgrass) and three crops (winter wheat, pea, and tomato). The microroughness of the leaf surface as revealed by scanning electron microscopy appeared to be a relevant retention-determining factor. Plant species with crystalline epicuticular waxes (winter wheat, pea, and quackgrass) retained much less spray solution than the other species, which are characterized by a smooth cuticular surface. The two surfactants enhanced retention on species with a reflective surface, whereas retention on black nightshade, chamomile, and tomato was hardly influenced by addition of surfactants. The two surfactants had a similar influence on the retention. Surfactant at 1% (wt/v) enhanced retention on pea, winter wheat, and quackgrass by factors of twenty, six, and four, respectively, compared with retention without surfactant. A linear relation between retention and logarithm of surfactant concentration was observed. Retention of spray drops was related not to equilibrium surface tension of the spray solution but rather to dynamic surface tension.