Which type of adjuvant increases the adhesion of solid particles to target surfaces?

Stickers are a type of adjuvant specifically designed to enhance the adhesion of solid particles, such as pesticides, to target surfaces. Their primary function is to improve the sticking capability of applied substances, ensuring that they remain in place long enough to achieve their intended effect. This increased adhesion is particularly important for solid formulations that might otherwise be blown away by wind or washed away by rain.

By improving adhesion, stickers help in the efficient delivery of active ingredients to the pest or plant, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. This is vital in agricultural practices where adherence to plant surfaces can determine the success of pest control methods or foliar feeding. Stickers target the surface's physical properties and create a more favorable interaction between the solids and the surface they are applied on.

Other types of adjuvants serve different purposes; for example, spreaders help in distributing the product over a larger area, wetters improve the spread of the application across a surface, and emulsifiers aid in mixing oil and water solutions. Each type has a unique role in enhancing the performance of pesticides or other agricultural products, but when it comes to increasing the adhesion of solid particles specifically, stickers are the most effective choice.