A ____________ surfactant is generally used with systemic pesticide products to get better plant penetration.

• A. Nonionic
• B. Anionic
• C. Cationic
• D. Buffer

Answer: (A)

Surfactants help pesticides spread and wet the leaf surface, which is essential for the product to enter the plant’s tissues. Nonionic surfactants are favored with systemic pesticides because they effectively lower surface tension and improve wetting and penetration without carrying a charge that could interact unfavorably with the leaf or the pesticide itself. They are also typically less phytotoxic and more compatible with a wide range of water qualities and tank-mix partners, making it easier for the active ingredient to move systemically inside the plant. In contrast, ionic surfactants can cause leaf injury or interfere with uptake, and a buffer isn’t a surfactant at all.