Nanobased Natural Polymers as a Carrier System for Glyphosate: An Interesting Approach Aimed at Sustainable Agriculture
Gustavo Vinícios Munhoz-Garcia, Vanessa Takeshita, Jhones Luiz de Oliveira, Bruno Dalla Vecchia, Daniel Nalin, Camila de Werk Pinácio, Ana Laura Camachos de Oliveira, Brian Cintra Cardoso, Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo, Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Polymer-based herbicide nanocarriers have shown potential for increasing the herbicide efficacy and environmental safety. This study aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate toxicity to target and nontarget organisms of natural-based polymeric nanosystems for glyphosate. Polymers such as chitosan (CS), zein (ZN), and lignin (LG) were used in the synthesis. Nanosystem size, surface charge, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, toxicity to weed species ( Amaranthus hybridus, Ipomoea grandifolia, and Eleusine indica ), and Roundup Ready (RR) crops, soil respiration, and enzyme activity were evaluated. The most stable system was the combination of ZN with the cross-linker poloxamer (PL), with higher weed control efficacy (90–96%) for A. hybridus, compared to commercial glyphosate (40%). No improvement was observed for I. grandifolia and E. indica . No glyphosate toxicity was observed in RR crops, soil respiration, or soil enzymes, indicating no toxic effects of the nanoformulation in these models. ZN-PL systems can be a promising alternative for glyphosate delivery, using environmentally friendly materials, with improved efficiency for weed control in agriculture.