Aqueous Tween 80 Micellar Solutions as Wetting Agents and Permeability Enhancers of Potato Leaves

The key properties of aqueous Tween 80 micellar solutions as means for the delivery of biologically active substances inhibiting the reproduction of various pathogens have been studied in order to develop innovative methods for plant protection. It has been shown that these solutions exhibit no negative effects upon the contact with potato leaves. The wetting isotherms plotted for aqueous Tween 80 solutions have confirmed the hydrophilization of a potato leaf and a hydrophobic polymer film simulating its surface. The maximum adsorption of Tween 80 on the polymer surface has been determined by combining the methods of tensiometry and wetting, thereby making it possible to predict the structure of the adsorption layer of this surfactant on the surface of the potato leaf. A significant increase in the velocity of penetration into the leaf has been recorded for Tween 80 micellar solutions characterized by the maximum wetting ability.