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Advances in formulations
When the surface tension of a liquid is reduced by adding other chemicals, it can flow through very tiny spaces, such as the stomata on leaf surfaces. This discovery revolutionised the weed and pest control sector in the 1980's because:
- Systemic pesticides can move into a leaf in minutes, and become rainfast.
- Smaller amounts of pesticide are needed.
- The surfactant also help spray droplets stick to their target, then spread and cover entire surfaces instead of remaining as discrete droplets.
- The solution wraps around surfaces not directly exposed to spray, so that insects and fungal spores can be completely covered in chemical.
- These discoveries make possible a "zero active" control option with particular appeal in such areas as organic growing. It is possible, for example, to simply smother pests like scale insects with non-toxic oils, or simply drown aphids with "wet" water; both options are preferable to synthetic pesticides.
