Polymer indispensability in controlled release pesticides

Abstract

Polymers are used in pesticide formulations, for controlled pesticides release. Protein such as Gelatin, casein and amino acids are another major class of natural polymers used in the controlled release formulation of pesticides. However, Polymers like methyl isocyanate, methyl chloride alcohol and  nitrocellulose,  nitrobengene,  nitrochlorobenzene are used for making carbofuranpesticide. For mancozeb, maneb and zineb, pesticides, ethylenediammes and carbon disulphide are the raw materials. Synthetic polymers used in pesticides, insecticides, herbicides are chlorinated hydrocarbons, organic phosphates (organophosphates) and carbamates. Types of synthetic polymer pesticides include the organochlorides, organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethenoids. Smart polymeric systems have extensively contributed to the advancement of the agricultural industry by increasing the efficiency of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Such polymers which can be functional and superabsorbent also serve as controlled released pesticides in agriculture. Polymer additives regulate pesticides droplets deposition on hydrophilic and hydrophobic plants. Both synthetic and natural polymers are being used to develop pesticides formulations depending on the needs and suitability. Polymer Nano carriers for pesticides are been developed, these include chitosan, alginates and starch, such polymer pesticides are known to exhibits a high stability phenomena. Polymer additives, composed of negatively charged polymer such as polyacrylic acid and a positively charged polymer such as poly – ethyleneimine are mixed with pesticides to solve some pesticides problem. Degradable and biodegradable polymeric Nano particles are in common use, because they are easily decayed. Natural biodegradable polymers employed in pesticides include proteins, carbohydrates (chitosan, alginates, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose), ethyl cellulose and the synthetic polymers such as polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyratewhich are easily degradable.