Biodegradable nanosystems as atrazine carriers: control, absorption and translocation efficacy in crows foot grass (Eleusine indica) plants

• Grant number: 24/04297-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo
• Grantee: Bruno Dalla Vecchia
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/20807-0 - Evaluation of the effects of climate change on the effectiveness of goosegrass (Eleusine indica) control using Atrazine, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Nanoparticles have emerged as an alternative in various fields of science, and in agriculture, they have been particularly notable in delivering active ingredients more efficiently to the target. Nanoformulations based on biodegradable polymers have been developed as a green alternative in the production of safer foods, as the use of such technology allows for a reduction in pesticide doses in the field, with less impact on the environment. Nanoformulations based on polycaprolactone and zein as carriers of the herbicide atrazine have shown promise for efficiently delivering the molecule to target weeds, in addition to being biodegradable and environmentally safer than conventional formulations. In modern agriculture, there is a need for the development and validation of the efficiency and safety of new formulations, such as nanoformulations. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy, absorption, and translocation of two different nanoformulations of the herbicide atrazine (a biodegradable synthetic nanoparticle - poly-µ-caprolactone (PCL) and a biodegradable natural nanoparticle - zein) in E. indica plants using radiometric techniques. The experimental design will be completely randomized, distributed in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme - 3 formulations (nano-PCL-ATZ, nano-Zeina-ATZ, and commercial ATZ), evaluated at 5 times (1 h, 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h) after application, with four biological replicates. Control efficacy will be evaluated at 14 and 28 days after application of the herbicide formulations, based on control ratings derived from plant symptomatology, compared to the treatment without herbicide. A comparison between biodegradable nanoformulations will be made, along with understanding the absorption and distribution of atrazine delivered to the target plants, mapping the formulation's effect on herbicide-plant interaction. It is also expected to verify the control efficacy of atrazine nanoformulations in Eleusine indica, a weed species difficult to control in Brazil. Furthermore, the aim is to apply radiometric techniques as validation of the tool for evaluating nanoherbicides in plants.