Potential Use of Polymeric Particles for the Regulation of Plant Growth

Abstract

26 27 Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are molecules widely applied in the agriculture, leading 28 to increased crop yield and improved quality of agricultural products. These compounds 29 act as plant hormones, affecting the plant hormonal homeostasis, and thus control plant 30 growth and development. Recently, the development of polymer-based modified release 31 systems for PGRs has emerged as a promising alternative for increasing the efficacy of 32 these compounds. This review will focus on polymeric particles that are used as carrier 33 systems for PGRs, allowing their controlled release and protecting them from 34 degradation. Successful examples include the phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA3)-35 loaded nanoparticles, which showed higher efficacy than the non-nano active ingredient 36 in promoting seed germination and seedling growth, andsalicylic acid (SA) and nitric 37 oxide (NO)-releasing nanoparticles as effective plant protection agents against stresses. 38 Polymeric nanomaterials per se such as chitosan (Cs) can also alter plant signaling 39 pathways and promote plant growth and development. Despite their great potential in 40 improving the plant production with less damage to the environment, relatively few 41 studies have focused on the use of these nanomaterials for the development of modified 42 release systems for PGRs. In this scenario, this review discusses on the major advances 43 and obstacles in the area. 44 45 46 47 48 49

Synthesis, Characterization, and Encapsulation of Novel Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) in Biopolymer Matrices

“…Limitations ranged from a partial or complete reduction in bioactivity when exposed to field conditions to the manner and frequency of application. Microencapsulation is an advanced technology offers several advantages for delivering PGR to plants, but relatively few studies have focused on the use of agrochemical formulations with encapsulated PGR [ 34 ].…”