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In modern crop protection and nutrient management, the actual performance of pesticides and foliar nutrients depends not only on the active ingredients but also on the adjuvants used in spray systems. Achieving effective spreading, fast penetration, strong adhesion, and high safety has become a key focus in agricultural formulation and field application. Organosilicon agricultural surfactants play an essential role in meeting these requirements.

IOTA-2000 is a polyether-modified special organosilicon surfactant designed for agricultural use. It features extremely low surface tension, excellent spreading and penetration properties, and good emulsifying and dispersing ability. Supplied as a liquid product with an active content above 99%, IOTA-2000 represents a typical high-solid, high-performance agricultural organosilicon adjuvant.

Structure and Basic Properties

IOTA-2000 is based on ethoxylated trisiloxane and related polyether-modified siloxane structures, belonging to the class of super-spreading organosilicon surfactants. Compared with conventional surfactants such as fatty amines or ethoxylated alcohols, organosilicon surfactants offer much lower surface tension and superior interfacial control.

At 25°C, the surface tension of IOTA-2000 can be reduced to approximately 21.5 mN/m, enabling spray droplets to spread rapidly on plant surfaces. Even on waxy or hydrophobic leaves, the spray solution can achieve fast wetting and wide coverage.

Mechanism of Action and Key Advantages

During spraying, conventional aqueous solutions often form droplets that roll off leaves, resulting in low utilization of active ingredients. The addition of IOTA-2000 effectively overcomes this limitation through the following mechanisms:

1. Surface Tension Reduction and Superior Spreading
   IOTA-2000 significantly lowers surface tension, allowing spray droplets to spread quickly over leaf surfaces, including tips, undersides, and other hard-to-reach areas, thus improving coverage efficiency.

2. Enhanced Penetration and Absorption
   The unique organosilicon structure promotes penetration through the plant cuticle and stomata, improving the uptake of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and foliar nutrients.

3. Improved Adhesion and Reduced Loss
   By optimizing the interface between spray droplets and plant or insect surfaces, IOTA-2000 increases adhesion, reduces runoff, and stabilizes field performance.

4. Lower Phytotoxicity and Higher Safety
   Compared with conventional surfactants, IOTA-2000 exhibits lower phytotoxicity and better crop safety when used within recommended dosage ranges.

Application Areas

IOTA-2000 is widely applicable in:

• Herbicides

• Insecticides

• Fungicides

• Plant growth regulators

• Foliar nutrient solutions

• Liquid fertilizer sprays

It can be used either as an in-formulation adjuvant or as a tank-mix spray adjuvant, offering high flexibility for both manufacturers and end users.

Usage and Recommended Dosage

• Tank-mix application:
  Recommended dosage is 0.02–0.04% of the total spray solution. For example, add 3–6 g of IOTA-2000 to a 15-kg sprayer.

• Formulation use:
  Typical addition levels range from 0.5–5%, depending on formulation type and application requirements.

Conclusion

As a high-solid liquid organosilicon agricultural surfactant, IOTA-2000 combines ultra-low surface tension, superior spreading, strong penetration, and low phytotoxicity. It significantly improves the performance of pesticides and foliar nutrients, reduces application losses, and enhances overall agricultural efficiency. IOTA-2000 is an ideal solution for both formulation development and field application in modern agriculture.