SEED OIL ETHOXYLATE ADJUVANTS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON RETENTION AND RAINFASTNESS OF THE CONTACT FUNGICIDE MANCOZEB

This study evaluated the effect of rapeseed, linseed, and soybean oil ethoxylates on the rheological characteristics of the spray solution, the deposit formation and rainfastness of the contact fungicide mancozeb on leaves of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple seedlings. The greatest influence on surface tension and contact angle was observed by adding the rather hydrophobic adjuvants (RSO 5 EO, LSO 10 EO, and SBO 10 EO) to the solution. As a general rule, mancozeb formulated with the rather hydrophobic adjuvants had a lower retention due to the high application rate combined with the reduced contact angle, i.e. reduced surface tension of the spray droplets. On the other hand, these ethoxylates significantly enhanced the rainfastness of mancozeb.