Agricultural surfactants: invisible assistants in agricultural production

In modern agriculture, surfactants, as an important chemical adjuvant, are playing an increasingly important role. They can not only improve the efficiency of pesticides and fertilizers, but also improve soil structure and promote the healthy growth of crops.

1. Basic concepts of agricultural surfactants

Surfactants refer to a class of substances that can significantly change the surface properties of solvents and the interfacial tension of the system at low concentrations. They have an amphiphilic structure, that is, they are both hydrophilic and lipophilic, which can reduce the surface tension of the solution, increase the water solubility of the solution, and change the wettability of the solid surface. In agricultural production, surfactants are often added to pesticides, fertilizers and other preparations to improve their performance.

2. The working principle of agricultural surfactants

The working principle of agricultural surfactants is mainly based on their ability to reduce interfacial tension. When surfactants are added to pesticides or fertilizers, they can significantly reduce the surface tension of the solution and enhance the wetting, spreading and adhesion of the agent on the surface of plants or pests. This can not only improve the insecticidal and bactericidal effects of pesticides, but also promote the better absorption of nutrients in fertilizers by plants.

In addition, surfactants can also change the structure of plant leaf surfaces, dissolve the wax layer of leaves, increase the surface energy of leaves, reduce the contact angle, and increase the wetting performance. This helps fertilizers and pesticides to better penetrate into plant leaves and improve absorption efficiency.

3. Application of agricultural surfactants in agricultural production

Pesticide synergists:

Surfactants as pesticide synergists can significantly improve the insecticidal and bactericidal effects of pesticides. They reduce the surface tension of the liquid medicine, enhance the wetting and spreading ability of the liquid medicine on the surface of the pest, and make it easier for pesticides to penetrate into the body of the pest, thereby achieving better prevention and control effects.

In pesticide formulations such as emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, and suspensions, surfactants play a vital role as emulsifiers, dispersants, wetting agents, etc. They can maintain the stability of the pesticide system, prevent the decomposition of active ingredients, and improve the durability of pesticides.

Fertilizer synergists:

Adding surfactants to foliar fertilizers can increase the wetting and penetration ability of fertilizer liquids and promote the absorption of nutrients by plant leaves. This can not only improve the utilization rate of fertilizers, but also reduce the loss and waste of nutrients.

Surfactants can also change the structure of plant leaves, regulate the opening and closing of leaf stomata, and further promote the absorption of foliar fertilizers. At the same time, they also have good moisturizing and adhesion effects, which can prolong the residence time of fertilizers on leaves, thereby prolonging the absorption time of nutrients.

Soil conditioner:

Some biological surfactants, such as rhamnolipids, have the advantages of ecology, safety and stability. They can use solubilization and osmosis to leach excessive salt from the soil, while chelating trace elements, repairing soil aggregate structure, and enhancing soil permeability.

In terms of improving soil compaction, acidification and alkalinity, and salinization, biological surfactants have shown unique advantages and good prospects. They provide a more sustainable soil improvement solution for agricultural production.

4. Selection and use precautions for agricultural surfactants

When selecting agricultural surfactants, it is necessary to consider their type, performance and compatibility with pesticides or fertilizers. Different types of surfactants have different functional characteristics, so they need to be selected according to actual needs.

When using, you need to pay attention to the following points:

Strictly follow the product instructions for proportioning and use to avoid overdose or underdose.

Pay attention to the storage conditions of surfactants to avoid the effects of adverse environments such as high temperature and humidity on their performance.

During use, pay attention to personal protection and avoid direct contact with the skin or inhalation of its vapor.

5. Conclusion

As an important chemical adjuvant in modern agriculture, agricultural surfactants play an irreplaceable role in improving the efficiency of pesticides and fertilizers, improving soil structure, and promoting the healthy growth of crops. By deeply understanding its working principle and application field, we can better use this technology to serve agricultural production and promote the sustainable development of agriculture.