Aim: The study was conducted to design pectin beads for achieving slow release of agrochemicals in wetlands via ion gelation method. Place and Duration of the Study: The laboratory experiment was carried out at the Department of Nano Science & Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu during March-July 2021. Methodology: Pectin beads were synthesized varying the concentrations of pectin (4, 6, 8, and 10 per cent) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2 per cent). Calcium pectinate beads of different combinations were synthesized via ion gelation method. Calcium pectinate beads were characterized based on the recovery yield of beads, while surface characterization was done through Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope to understand the topography of beads and assess the size of the beads respectively. Pore volume and surface area were also studied using BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) analyzer. Results: The yield of calcium pectinate beads were higher while using the concentration of pectin @ 4 per cent and CaCl2 @ 2 per cent as cross-linking agent. The spherical and smooth surface of beads was achieved with the concentrations of 6 and 2 per cent pectin and CaCl2 respectively, while beads were flat and smooth with concentration of pectin @ 4 per cent. Similarly, complete solubility of pectin was not achieved with concentrations of 8 and 10 per cent. BET results of beads showed that beads are non-porous in nature. Conclusion: Pectin and CaCl2 concentrations @ 6 and 2 per cent respectively were found to be ideal for the delivery of agrochemical based on the yield and surface morphology.

Weeds are unwanted plants, which interfere with the crop production. Weeds compete with crops for resources, causing severe yield loss. Chemical weed control through herbicides is a quite effective and reliable strategy to manage weeds. Herbicides constitute a major share of the global pesticide market. However, the applied herbicides undergo losses in the agroecosystem in different ways (chemical degradation, microbial decomposition, photo-degradation, leaching, run-off, and volatilization), thus lowering the herbicidal action coupled with contaminating ecosystem and groundwater. Encapsulation of herbicides is an innovative approach that addresses issues associated with the application of herbicides for controlling weeds. Encapsulation represents the embedding of an active ingredient in shell of polymeric material to achieve the controlled release of the active ingredient at the desired rate. The encapsulation of herbicides enhances stability, solubility, and bioactivity and alters the release pattern of herbicide resulting in improved weed control efficiency. Further, encapsulation lowers the application rate of herbicides, which in turn reduces the residue carryover of herbicide in soil and minimizes the environmental hazards. Therefore, encapsulated herbicide formulation has greater significance in the future weed management and will become ground-breaking technology in the chemical era of weed control.