What common function do adjuvants serve in pesticide formulations?

Adjuvants are substances added to pesticide formulations to enhance their effectiveness and safety. They play a critical role in improving the performance of the active ingredients in the pesticide. For instance, adjuvants can facilitate better coverage and adhesion of the pesticide on target surfaces, increase absorption into plant tissues, or reduce the volatility of the active ingredients. This improved effectiveness can lead to better control of pests while also potentially minimizing the amount of pesticide needed, which can enhance safety for both applicators and the environment.

The use of adjuvants can also contribute to more uniform and predictable results when applying pesticides, ultimately leading to more effective pest management strategies. This function is foundational to making pesticide applications more efficient and reduces the likelihood of phytotoxicity or negative effects on non-target organisms.