What is the purpose of mixing spray mixtures with surfactants?

Mixing spray mixtures with surfactants serves a critical role in enhancing the effectiveness of pesticide applications. Surfactants, or surface-active agents, help to reduce the surface tension of the liquid. This reduction allows the spray mixture to spread more evenly over plant surfaces, improving the coverage of the pesticide.

When surfactants are included, they promote better adhesion of the pesticide to the plant, allowing it to stick effectively to leaves and stems. This is particularly important because good adhesion can ensure that the pesticide remains on the target surfaces long enough to exert its action against pests or diseases. Ultimately, this leads to improved performance and effectiveness of the pesticide treatment, making it more likely to control pests as intended.

While other options may focus on different aspects of the application process, they do not accurately capture the primary function of surfactants in this context. For example, increasing the volume of the spray does not directly relate to the effectiveness of the pesticide, and decreasing costs or speeding up the application process are not the main reasons for using surfactants. The primary incentive is to enhance adhesion and coverage, facilitating the pesticide's action.