Fungitoxic action of dithanes in presence of surfactant micelles.

ABSTRACT

A rationale of arriving at the concentration of surfactant additives in the pesticidal formulations has been discovered. Fungitoxic activity of each of the two dithanes, Dithane M-45 (maneb) and Dithane Z-78 (zineb) has been estimated in the presence of various concentrations of three surfactants namely sodium lauryl sulphate, cetyl pyridinium chloride and Tween 80. Data reveal that the concentration of the surfactant additives in the pesticidal formulations should be at least equal to its critical micelle concentration (CMC) for enhanced biological activity. This rationale for the concentration of surfactant additives in the pesticidal formulation has so far not been clearly brought out in the literature. Since biological activity of the pesticides is enhanced in the presence of surfactant additives the present study is relevant to the reduction of environmental pollution due to pesticide residues.