Possible mechanisms for surfactant‐induced foliar uptake of agrochemicals

In the past many mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the surfactant‐induced uptake of agrochemicals applied to foliage. These are reviewed briefly and discussed in relation to potential sites of uptake activation, particularly in the light of recent radiochemical work on the foliar uptake behaviour of surfactants on intact plants in the presence or absence of model penetrants and pesticides. The body of evidence available is examined in relation to the many outstanding problems that still exist in understanding the role and use of surfactants as uptake activators in agrochemical formulations.