Bounce Behavior and Regulation of Pesticide Solution Droplets on Rice Leaf Surfaces

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b02619
• Publication Date: 2018-10-24T04:37:11Z
• Authors: Li Zheng; Chong Cao; Lidong Cao; Zhuo Chen; Qiliang Huang; Baoan Song
• Keywords: Plant Leaves; Surface-Active Agents; Surface Properties; 13. Climate action; Wettability; Oryza; 02 engineering and technology; Pesticides; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; 0104 chemical sciences

Pesticide spray droplets can damage ecological environments and negatively affect biodiversity if they reach nontarget areas. Effective retention of pesticide droplets on plant surfaces is an important challenge. In this study, a high-speed camera was utilized to visualize the bounce behavior of droplets of different pesticide solutions on rice leaf surfaces. We explored the addition of surfactants (SAAs) to different pesticide solutions and altered a pesticide solution system to prevent or regulate droplet bounce behavior. Experimental results indicate that the addition of SAAs to a pesticide solution can inhibit the bouncing of droplets on rice leaf surfaces. Additionally, a water-in-oil (EO) emulsion not only can significantly inhibit droplet rebound on a superhydrophobic surface, but also can quickly and automatically spread pesticide droplets to maximize the wetting area. Therefore, this work effectively improves the utilization of pesticides and reduces environmental pollution.