Agricultural surfactants: a magical boost to improve fertilizer efficiency
In agricultural production, fertilizer is an indispensable element for crop growth. However, traditional fertilization
methods often have problems such as low fertilizer utilization and serious
nutrient loss. In order to improve the utilization efficiency of fertilizers, scientists have developed an innovative product,
agricultural surfactants.
1. The basic concept of agricultural surfactants
Agricultural surfactants are a special class of chemical substances that have a unique amphiphilic structure, that is, they have
both hydrophilic and lipophilic groups. This property enables
surfactants to form a molecular film in an aqueous solution, reduce the surface tension of water, and thus change the interfacial
properties of the solution. In agricultural production,
surfactants are often used as adjuvants for pesticides and fertilizers to improve their use effect.
2. The working principle of agricultural surfactants to improve fertilizer efficiency
Improve fertilizer dispersibility:
Surfactants can reduce the surface tension between fertilizer particles, making them easier to disperse and dissolve in water.
This helps the nutrients in the fertilizer to be more evenly
distributed in the soil and improve the absorption efficiency of crops.
Enhance fertilizer permeability:
Surfactants can change the properties of the surface of soil particles, making them more hydrophilic. This helps the water and
nutrients in the fertilizer to penetrate deeper into the soil more
easily and be absorbed and utilized by the crop roots.
Promote nutrient absorption:Surfactants form a thin film on the surface of plant leaves and roots, which can increase the contact
area between nutrients in
fertilizer and plant cells. This helps nutrients pass through the
cell membrane more quickly into the plant body and increases the rate of nutrient absorption by crops.
Reduce nutrient loss:
Surfactants can reduce the leaching and volatilization losses of fertilizers in the soil, so that nutrients can be retained in the soil for
a longer time for crops to absorb and utilize.
3. Examples of the application of agricultural surfactants in agricultural production
Foliar fertilization:
When foliar fertilization, adding an appropriate amount of surfactants can significantly improve the utilization rate of fertilizers.
Surfactants can increase the adhesion and permeability of
fertilizer solution on the leaf surface, making nutrients easier to be absorbed by the leaves.
Soil fertilization:
When fertilizing the soil, surfactants can be used as fertilizer adjuvants. They can improve soil structure, increase soil aeration and
water retention, thereby promoting the decomposition of
fertilizers and the release of nutrients.
Drip irrigation fertigation:
In drip irrigation fertigation systems, surfactants can reduce fertilizer blockage problems. They can reduce the surface tension of
fertilizer liquid, allowing the fertilizer liquid to pass through
the drip irrigation pipe more smoothly, ensuring that nutrients are evenly distributed around the crop roots.
4. Selection and use precautions of agricultural surfactants
When selecting agricultural surfactants, their type, performance, and compatibility with fertilizers should be considered. Different types
of surfactants have different functional characteristics,
so they should be selected according to actual needs. At the same time, the following points should also be noted when using surfactants:
Strictly follow the instructions:
Avoid excessive or insufficient use of surfactants to avoid affecting the fertilizer effect or causing environmental pollution.
Pay attention to the mixing order:
When mixing surfactants with fertilizers, pay attention to the mixing order and stirring time to ensure that the two are fully mixed and
evenly mixed.
Pay attention to storage conditions:
Surfactants should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environment.
5. Conclusion
As an important adjuvant to improve fertilizer efficiency, agricultural surfactants play an increasingly important role in agricultural production.
Surfactants can significantly improve fertilizer
utilization and crop yield quality by improving fertilizer dispersion, enhancing permeability, promoting nutrient absorption and reducing nutrient loss.
Therefore, the rational use of surfactants
in agricultural production is one of the important means to achieve sustainable agricultural development and improve agricultural production efficiency.
