Surface tension
A physical property of a liquid that determines the ability of droplets to spread across a leaf surface or remain as spheres on it.
Также говорят: surface energy, wetting ability, surface tension coefficient
In agronomy, this parameter is critical for the efficiency of pesticides and foliar fertilizers. High surface tension in water often causes spray droplets to bounce off or roll away from the waxy cuticle of crops. Reducing this tension allows the solution to spread evenly across the leaf, maximizing the contact area between the active ingredient and the target pest or disease.
Adjuvants are used to modify this property in tank mixes. A common mistake is failing to include surfactants when spraying crops with high leaf wax content, such as cabbage or onions, which significantly reduces the efficacy of the application and leads to waste of chemical products.