DESCRIPTION

The present technology relates to a system for slow release of pesticide in agricultural applications, including but not limited to insecticide, fungicide and herbicide formulations. The system comprises a pesticide incorporated in vesicles formed by lipids resulting in a water solubility enhancement of the pesticide. The said vesicles incorporating the pesticide molecules are adsorbed on a clay mineral.

These formulations are suitable for any type of pesticide independently of its nature (hydrophobic, acidic or basic). The pesticide formulations provide a slow release of the active ingredient aiming at reducing its losses and avoiding either repetitive applications or larger dosage. Consequently, these formulations decrease the risk of water and soil pollution whereas maintaining their effectiveness on the target. The components of these formulations, i.e., the lipid as well as the clay mineral are included within the Minimum Risk Inerts List by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

INNOVATIVE ASPECTS

The adjuvant components of the pesticide formulations are lipids and a clay mineral, both of them declared as to be of minimum toxicological risk. In the case of other surfactants as per se or formulated with clay minerals, there are not sufficient information to conclude that they will not adversely affect public health and the environment.
The developed system for achieving slow release formulations of pesticides may be applied to pesticide molecules independently of its nature (hydrophobic, acidic and basic).

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

The new pesticide formulations permit to use lower dosage than those of conventional formulations, because of reduction in losses due to leaching, degradation and dissipation, with the subsequent economic and environmental advantages. Likewise, these formulations are enough bioactive on the targets.
These formulations permit not only to reduce the applied dosage but also to apply formulations under adverse field conditions.
The auxiliary components of these formulations are of minimum toxicological risk, so that they are considered as environmentally friendly.
These components are of low cost.

KEYWORDS

pesticides, pollution, waters, soils, slow release, environmentally friendly

PATENT

20080380 applied for 2008-02-13

CONTACT

name: Consuelo Quilchano
email: chelo.quilchano@eez.csic.es
phone: +34 95 818 16 00 ext. 173

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