Controlled release formulations of encapsulated herbicide enhances herbicide activity as a tool for agro-ecotoxicity

This study involves the synthesis of encapsulated herbicides to improve herbicide efficacy and activity assays, to reduce their environmental impact. The synthesized pyrazosulfuron ethyl and pretilachlor entrapped with zeolite, polycaprolactone and water-soluble polymer were characterized using a Particle size analyzer and Scanning Electron Microscope to interpret the size and morphology. Among the encapsulated herbicides, pyrazosulfuron ethyl entrapped zeolite shows a 12,950 nm in diameter and a typical morphology of a uniform, regular cubical-like structure, with a higher herbicide encapsulation efficiency of 86 % and activity assay results in better rice growth. It was on par with the pyrazosulfuron ethyl encapsulated with polycaprolactone, which has a 3679 nm diameter and an irregular shape. The Aqueous release studies show the controlled release of encapsulated herbicide, among them pyrazosulfuron ethyl entrapped with zeolite shows better performance with low leaching potential in the soil column. Thus, Controlled release herbicide formulation with zeolite, polycaprolactone and water soluble polymer was used to release herbicide in target species and reduces the leaching potential to the soil which acts as a tool for agroecotoxicity.