The effect of surface-active agents on the quantum requirement of photosynthesis determined by the thermodynamic method

The application of surface-active agents (SAA) — acrylate latexes (PVAE), synthetic fatty acids (SFA) and fatty alcohols (SFS), urea-formaldehyde resins (UF) and silicones (HS) — on leaves or into soil, induced an increase in photosynthetic rate, in the ratio of rates of photosynthesis and transpiration and in yields, with a simultaneous decrease in respiration rate. Energy dissipation into heat was minimal in treated plants.