Full TGIF Record # 85709
Item 1 of 1
Publication Type:
i
Professional
Author(s):Shaddox, T. W.
Author Affiliation:Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Soil and Water Science, UF/IFAS
Title:Surfactants: How they work. . .and do they?
Section:Research
Other records with the "Research" Section
Source:North Carolina Turfgrass. Vol. 21, No. 1, February/March 2003, p. 25-28.
Publishing Information:Southern Pines, NC: The Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, Inc.
# of Pages:4
Keywords:TIC Keywords: Surfactants; Localized dry spots; Surface tension; Turfgrass quality; Cationic wetting agents; Nonionic wetting agents; Water repellency; Growth rate; Hydrophobic soils; Anionic wetting agents; Soil moisture
Abstract/Contents:Describes the uses and benefits of surfactants. Explains what surfactants are, stating that "when placed in a solution, some chemical species have a tendancy to locate themselves at the liquid-air interface as opposed to remaining in the bulk solution. These chemicals are deemed `surface-acting agents' or surfactants." Discusses the various classifications of surfactants, including anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants. Explains that "anionic surfactants have a tendency to leach and are not widely used as wetting agents. . .cationic surfactants are also not typically used as wetting agents due to their tendency to bind to negatively charged sites on clay organic matter. . .nonionic surfactants have been reported to exhibit longer-lasting effects in turf than their cationic or anionic counterparts." Cites studies done to determine the benefits of surfactants. Explains how surfactants work, stating that "the surface tension of water is directly related to the free energy of the molecules at the droplet's surface. Thus,. . .any solute capable of replacing these molecules will therefore have an influence on its surface tension." Explains how surfactants replace water molecules. States that "whether they are used to override soil water repellency or to increase liquid pesticide efficiency, surfactants have been and will continue to be used by turf managers as a tool to alleviate turfgrass problems."
Language:English
References:10
See Also:Other items relating to: Wetting Agents
Note:Figures
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ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Shaddox, T. W. 2003. Surfactants: How they work. . .and do they?. N.C. Turfgrass. 21(1):p. 25-28.
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MSU catalog number: SB 433 .A1 N52
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