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

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