Nanoencapsulation Enhances the Post-Emergence Herbicidal Activity of Atrazine against Mustard Plants

Author(s)

Oliveira, Halley Caixeta ^[1] ; Stolf-Moreira, Renata ^[1] ; Reis Martinez, Claudia Bueno ^[2] ; Grillo, Renato ^{[3, 4]} ; de Jesus, Marcelo Bispo ^[5] ; Fraceto, Leonardo Fernandes ^{[3, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] UEL Univ Londrina, Dept Anim & Plant Biol, Londrina, Parana - Brazil

^[2] UEL Univ Londrina, Dept Physiol Sci, Londrina, Parana - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Biochem, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Dept Environm Engn, Sorocaba, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Nanocell Interact Lab, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 7 JUL 17 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 22

Abstract

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules have been recently developed as a modified release system for atrazine, an herbicide that can have harmful effects in the environment. Here, the post-emergence herbicidal activity of PCL nanocapsules containing atrazine was evaluated using mustard (Brassica juncea) as target plant species model. Characterization of atrazine-loaded PCL nanocapsules by nanoparticle tracking analysis indicated a concentration of 7.5 x 10(12) particles mL(-1) and an average size distribution of 240.7 nm. The treatment of mustard plants with nanocapsules carrying atrazine at 1 mg mL(-1) resulted in a decrease of net photosynthesis and PSII maximum quantum yield, and an increase of leaf lipid peroxidation, leading to shoot growth inhibition and the development of severe symptoms. Time course analysis until 72 h after treatments showed that nanoencapsulation of atrazine enhanced the herbicidal activity in comparison with a commercial atrazine formulation. In contrast to the commercial formulation, ten-fold dilution of the atrazine-containing nanocapsules did not compromise the herbicidal activity. No effects were observed when plants were treated with nanocapsules without herbicide compared to control leaves sprayed with water. Overall, these results demonstrated that atrazine-containing PCL nanocapsules provide very effective post-emergence herbicidal activity. More importantly, the use of nanoencapsulated atrazine enables the application of lower dosages of the herbicide, without any loss of efficiency, which could provide environmental benefits. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/12322-2 - Nanoparticles as carrier systems for bioactive compounds aiming agriculture applications
• Grantee: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/01872-6 - Polymeric nanoparticles as delivery system for herbicides: preparation, characterization, interaction with humic substances and assessment of biological activity
• Grantee: Renato Grillo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate