Wetting and Spreading Agents

Spray adjuvants and spray concentrations
Wetting and Spreading Agents

Introduction:
These are available as ionic-based or non-ionic based surfactants (i.e.) wetting and spreading agents safe to use with all insecticides, fungicides, weedicides and foliar fertilizers.
Mode of Action:
As a spreader it reduces surface tension of the water to 30 dynes / cm from its normal value of 70 - 80 dynes / cm and makes water more wetter This results in better coverage and penetration.
Because of its non-ionic nature, it has least phytotoxic properties and greater compatibility with pesticide formulations.

I. Dosage with Insecticide, Fungicide, Foliar Fertilizers and Defoliators:
Wetting agent 5 ml in 15 litres of spraying liquid (0.0333% Concentration (i.e.) 0.0333 ml in 1 litre of spraying liquid) Stir well to obtain a homogenous mixture.
Benefits: Due to its better coverage:

• It enhances the efficiency of pesticides and fungicides spray.
• when applied with foliar fertilizers, there is increased nutrient uptake.
• when applied with defoliators, there is complete defoliation.

II. Dosage with Post emergence Weedicides:
Wetting agent 20 ml in 15 litres of spraying liquid (0.1333% Concentration (i.e.) 1.333 ml in 1 litre of spraying liquid) (Since it is a spreader only there is no question application with pre emergence Weedicides ??)
Benefits: Helps in increasing the level of penetration of post emergence herbicide through amorphous waxy cuticle layers of leaf, resulting in better weed control.

III. Dosage as irrigation aid (for Soil Application):
Wetting agent 160 ml per acre in at least 80 litres of water (0.2% Concentration (i.e.) 2 ml in 1 litre of water) and apply directly to soil.
(Mixing 160ml of wetting agent in adequate Qty. of soil and broadcasting them over 1 acre of land and irrigating the land is the easier method.)
Benefits when used for soil application: (1) When applied as irrigation aid there is reduced evaporative loss, reduced water losses due to run off and increased moisture content in the soil.
(2) It enhances the water infiltration rate in clay loam soil where there is hardpan layer.
(3) Increases saturated conductivity in silt loam soil.
(4) Because of reduced soil crust strength and loosening effect on hard soils, the root penetration is easier resulting in bigger root volume.
(5) Wetting agent will be active in the soil for about 4 – 6 weeks.

Benefits:
Due to its better coverage, it enhances the efficiency of pesticides, Fungicide, Foliar Fertilizers and Defoliators spray as below:
1) Increases wetting power
2) Improves distribution
3) Helps in deep penetration
4) Increases adhesive power
5) Promotes quick distribution
6) It is a non-corrosive good detergent agent hence cleans spray equipments and Agricultural machineries at low cost.

(Courtesy : Amway)