Abstract: A water based wetting agent uses higher alkyl substituted lactam, anionic surfactant and water to enhance the wetting properties of herbicide and pesticide formulations. The composition is effective in enhancing wetting times, and in some instances increases the formulation effectiveness through enhanced contact, better penetration and lower surface tension. Utilizing a herbicide or pesticide formulation including the wetting agent provides a fast absorption of actives with rapid uptake to promote weed control with no or minimal phytotoxicity at the use levels.