Phospholipids,as a green additive,improve the leaf surface adhesion of pesticides

Phospholipids serve as eco-friendly multifunctional emulsifiers and auxiliary agents in pesticide formulations. Owing to their natural amphiphilic molecular structure, phospholipids exhibit good compatibility with organic pesticide active ingredients and aqueous phase systems, and deliver prominent performance in enhancing leaf-surface retention of pesticide droplets.

When mixed into pesticide liquid preparations, phospholipids stabilize oil-in-water or water‑in-oil emulsion systems. They reduce interfacial tension between spray droplets and plant leaf surfaces. Many crop leaves are covered with hydrophobic waxy cuticles, which normally cause sprayed droplets to shrink into spheres and easily roll off foliage. Phospholipid molecules spread rapidly upon droplet impact, forming a thin hydrated film on leaf surfaces. This effect strengthens wetting capability and significantly improves leaf-surface adhesion, decreasing droplet bounce-off and runoff loss during field spraying.

Better adhesion keeps pesticide active components staying on target foliage for longer periods. It reduces waste caused by liquid flowing to soil, raises the effective utilization rate of pesticides, and lowers environmental contamination from off-target drift. In addition, phospholipids can assist active ingredients to penetrate through leaf cuticles, facilitating absorption by plant tissues and optimizing biological efficacy.

The application dosage must be adjusted according to pesticide types and crop leaf characteristics. Too low phospholipid content cannot achieve ideal wetting and adhesive effects. Excessive addition may lead to overly stable emulsions, inhibit droplet deposition, or generate excessive foam during spraying. Plant-derived food-grade phospholipids are biodegradable in natural environments. They leave few persistent residues and satisfy requirements for green plant protection. As a sustainable auxiliary agent, phospholipids help cut pesticide dosage and promote low-carbon agricultural production.