Optimizing Alcohol Ethoxylate Surfactant Activity at Low Doses

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Abstract
Certain linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactants with large hydrophobes enhanced nicosulfuron activity on giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) more effectively at low doses than surfactants with small hydrophobes and commercial standards. The most effective surfactants had a C16–18 hydrophobe and 12 to 30 moles of ethoxylation or a C24 hydrophobe with 13 moles of ethoxylation. Response curve analysis showed these linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactants were five- to 20-fold more active on a dose basis than currently used commercial surfactants.