Investigating the Wettability of Rapeseed Leaves

Highlights Contact angles of spray droplets were positively correlated with their surface tension. Wettability of rape leaves was generally poor for most pesticides. Surface structure and free energy determine the hydrophobicity of rape leaves. The size of the spray droplets had no significant influence on rape leaf wettability. Abstract . In order to improve the deposition and adherence of spray droplets on leaf surfaces, the wettability of rapeseed leaves was investigated. We explored the effect of different pesticides and test surfaces on droplet contact angles, and analyzed the effects of leaf surface properties, droplet sizes and the addition of organosilicone adjuvant on wettability. The results indicated that contact angles of different liquids were positively correlated with their surface tension for rapeseed leaves. The wettability of rapeseed leaves was generally poor using different pesticides, but was highest for a fungicide mixture of difenoconazole and propiconazole. The hydrophobicity of rapeseed leaves is largely determined by the complex microstructure and the low surface free energy of the leaves. The size of the spray droplets had no significant influence on the wettability. Moreover, the addition of an organosilicone adjuvant significantly reduced the surface tension of all spray droplets, with the best result for a 50% procymidone solution. In conclusion, the factors affecting rapeseed leaf surface wettability should be considered comprehensively before selecting the appropriate pesticide, so as to improve its utilization rates. Keywords: Contact angle, Leaf surface, Pesticide application, Spray droplet.