Which type of adjuvant increases the viscosity of spray mixtures?

Thickeners are a specific type of adjuvant that increase the viscosity of spray mixtures. Higher viscosity can improve the performance of pesticides in several ways. For example, it can reduce drift during application, allowing the pesticide to remain in the intended area rather than being carried away by wind. Thickeners help achieve a uniform distribution of the pesticide on the target surface, which can enhance its effectiveness by ensuring that more of the pesticide targets the area of interest rather than being lost to runoff or evaporation.

In contrast, surfactants are designed to decrease surface tension, facilitating better wetting and spreading of the mixture on surfaces, rather than increasing viscosity. Solubilizers help dissolve pesticide formulations in solution, which is critical for formulations that need to be uniform. Destabilizers, on the other hand, generally break down emulsions and can lead to separation rather than enhancing the physical properties of the mixture. Therefore, thickeners are the correct choice for increasing spray viscosity.