The herbicide norflurazon was encapsulated in ethylcellulose (EC(40)) microspheres by the solvent evaporation technique to obtain controlled release formulations. The kinetics of release of the active ingredient into the aqueous solution from different preparations was determined. It was found that the percentage release of the incorporated herbicide was a function of the composition and formation conditions of the formulations (amount of emulsifying agent, EC(40)/herbicide ratio, stirring speed, and percentage of pore-forming agent). The percentage of the herbicide release was related to the properties of the different microspheres obtained, such as particle size distribution, herbicide loading, or surface morphology. The release percentage depended inversely on the particle size of the microspheres and directly on the content of active ingredient and emulsifying and pore-forming agents. An empirical equation was used to fit the herbicide release data, indicating that the release of norflurazon from the various formulations is controlled by a diffusion mechanism. The time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water (T(50)) was calculated, showing a wide variation among the different preparations (0.95-16.4 days).

F. Sopeña, C. Maqueda, and E. Morillo. 2009. Controlled release formulations of herbicides based on micro-encapsulation. Cien. Inv. Agr. 36(1): 27-42. Annual worldwide losses to weeds are estimated to comprise approximately 10-15% of attainable production among principal food sources. Worldwide consumption of herbicides represents 47.5% of the 2 million tons of pesticide consumed each year. However, the heavy use of herbicides has given rise to serious environmental and public health problems. It is therefore important to develop new herbicide formulations that are highly effective, that are safer (for the worker and for the environment), and that involve a low cost/production ratio. In this sense, controlled release formulations of herbicides have become necessary in recent years, since they often increase herbicide effi cacy at reduced doses. The present work reviews in detail the components of various types of herbicide formulations, with an emphasis on controlled release formulations and micro-encapsulation.

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Five ethylcellulose (EC) microencapsulated formulations (MEFs) of norflurazon were prepared and applied in soil to study their mobility, dissipation, activity, and persistence. The results show that the release into water of norflurazon from EC microspheres was retarded when compared with that of commercial herbicide. The mobility of norflurazon from MEFs into soil columns has been greatly diminished in comparison with that of its current commercial formulation (CF). Norflurazon distribution at different depths in the soil was higher in the upper ring (up to 50% of the initial application). In contrast, the residues from commercial norflurazon along the complete soil column were only about 2%. Degradation and bioassay experiments showed that the MEFs had greater persistence (t1/2 values were 7.72 and 30.83 weeks for CF and MEFs, respectively) and herbicidal activity than the commercial formulation. The use of these formulations can be advantageous, because they can minimize the risk of groundwater contamination and permit herbicide use at reduced rates, maintaining the desired concentrations of herbicide in the topsoil layer for longer periods of weed control.

The development of controlled-release formulations of alachlor to diminish its leaching in sandy soils, avoiding groundwater contamination and maintaining its efficacy, was studied. For this purpose, ethylcellulose (EC) microencapsulated formulations (MEFs) of alachlor were prepared under different conditions and applied to soil columns to study their mobility. The results show that in all cases the release into water of alachlor from MEFs was retarded when compared with commercial formulation. Total leaching losses in soil columns were reduced to 59% from 98%. The mobility of alachlor from EC microspheres into soil columns has been greatly diminished in comparison with its current commercial formulation (CF), above all with increasing EC/herbicide ratios. Distribution of alachlor applied as MEFs at different depths in the soil was higher in the soil surface (66.3-81.3% of herbicide applied at the first 12 cm). In contrast, the residues from CF along the complete soil column were only 20.4%. From the results of bioassays, MEFs showed a higher efficacy than CF at 30 days after the treatment. The use of ME formulations could provide an advantage in minimizing the risk of groundwater contamination by alachlor and reducing the application rates, as a result of maintaining the desired concentration of the herbicide in the top soil layer, obtaining longer periods of weed control.