A Mechanistic View of Interactions of a Nanoherbicide with Target Organism

Abstract

Atrazine is one of the most used herbicides and has been associated with persistent surface and groundwater contamination, and novel formulations derived from nanotechnology can be a potential solution. We used poly-epsilon caprolactone nano-encapsulation of atrazine (NC+ATZ) to develop a highly effective herbicidal formulation. Detailed structural study of interaction between the formulation and Brassica juncea plants was carried out with evaluation of the foliar uptake of nanoatrazine and structural alterations induced in the leaves. Following postemergent treatment, NC+ATZ adhered to the leaf and penetrated mesophyll tissue mainly through the hydathode regions. NC+ATZ was transported directly through the vascular tissue of the leaves and into the cells where it degraded the chloroplasts resulting in herbicidal activity. Nanocarrier systems, such as the one used in this study, have a great potential for agricultural applications in terms of maintenance of herbicidal activity at low concentrations and a substantial increase in the herbicidal efficacy.

Polymeric nanoparticles as an alternative for application of gibberellic acid in sustainable agriculture: a field study

“…These nanoparticles can adhere strongly to the outer side of the cell wall, due to electrostatic interactions, and were found to be able to enter grapevine cells by clathrin-dependent or clathrin-independent endocytosis 30 . In the case of PCL nanoparticles, entry into the mesophyll can also occur through stomatal pores and hydathodes 31 . Prasad et al .…”

Localization of Coated Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles on Tomato Seeds and Their Effects on Growth

“…On the other hand, negatively charged nanoparticles are more likely to cross the seed coating. [27][28][29] Systematic studies on the particle parameters including size, charge, surface functionality and even shape are needed to fully understand the relationship between particle uptake, interaction with plants and their translocation.…”

Nanopesticides in Agriculture: Benefits and Challenge in Agricultural Productivity, Toxicological Risks to Human Health and Environment

“…Nanopesticides from runoff of agricultural and industrial wastewater during the precipitation event by soil permeating leaching phenomenon reach the water supply, affecting its quality, increasing the human exposure time and concerns for the ecosystem. It has been noticed that nanoparticles could cause toxicological effects by their biomimetics properties and high ability of distribution and bioaccumulation in soil, water environments, foods, and consequently in all animals, especially in mammals [3][4][5]14]. For humans, the range of side effects related to individual susceptibility and exposure time to nanoparticles leads to acute and chronic pathological manifestations that include the systems respiratory as cardiovascular, lymphatic, autoimmune, neurologic, and various cancers that can manifest instantly following exposure or many years later as a result of bioaccumulation [15] and unique nanoparticles properties [11,16,17].…”

“…Agrochemical technology is typically aimed to protect crop areas against pests (pathogens, harmful insects, parasitic weeds) that compromise production and productivity, including diagnosing soil and plantations vitality, livestock, and fishery products control. Nevertheless, the indiscriminate use of pesticides applied against dangerous pests and insects has also been adversely affected production, inducing resistance to pathogens and insects, rising demand for new agrochemical and increasing the environmental imbalance [3].…”