This book ​presents an introduction to the concept and need of sustainable agriculture, the mechanisms of conventional and controlled release of pesticides, herbicides and plant hormones. It also contains the carriers which supply controlled release including polymers and nanoparticles. A full chapter is devoted to the theory and simulation aspects.

Since the middle of the Sixties, new types of formulation for biologically active com pounds have been developed, which have been introduced into the literature under the term Controlled Release Formulations (CRF). Stimulated by results from former and successful pharmaceutical research, which was engaged in the production of prepa rations with protracted effects (introduction onto the market in the year 1952 of D amphetamine in the form of pellets, coated to varying degrees with fats and waxes) 1), experiments were carried out to transfer the prolongation of effectiveness to pesticidal substances also, by means of a depot formulation. Initial work was concerned with the production of protective coatings for sonar systems in marine ecosystems. By means of antifouling paints or rubber coatings containing tri-n-butyl-tin oxide (TBTO), the growth of marine organisms on sonar domes, buoys and hulls in the water could be effectively prevented 2. 3). Controlled release formUlations of pesticides are defined as depot systems which continuously release their toxic constituents into the environment over a specified period of time (usually months to years) 4). According to this definition, such formu lations can be successfully employed where a chronic exposure to biologically active compounds is required over a longer period. The following hypothetical example is intended to illustrate this 5). In Fig. 1, the duration of activity of a non-persistent pesticide with a loss rate under environmental conditions of t1/2 = 15 days, is graphically illustrated.

Encapsulation and controlled release combines basic information on the subject with details of the latest research, making it suitable for both newcomers to the field and those with experience of encapsulation technology. It will also be of great interest to those working on water-soluble or dispersible polymers, as well as application chemists and biochemists in diverse areas.

Nano-Biopesticides Today and Future Perspectives is the first single-volume resource to examine the practical development, implementation and implications of combining the environmentally aware use of biopesticides with the potential power of nanotechnology. While biopesticides have been utilized for years, researchers have only recently begun exploring delivery methods that utilize nanotechnology to increase efficacy while limiting the negative impacts traditionally seen through the use of pest control means. Written by a panel of global experts, the book provides a foundation on nano-biopesticide development paths, plant health and nutrition, formulation and means of delivery. Researchers in academic and commercial settings will value this foundational reference of insights within the biopesticide realm. - Provides comprehensive insights, including relevant information on environmental impact and safety, technology development, implementation, and intellectual property - Discusses the role of nanotechnology and its potential applications as a nanomaterial in crop protection for a cleaner and greener agriculture - Presents a strategic, comprehensive and forward-looking approach

This book explores the development of nanopesticides and tests of their biological activity against target organisms. It also covers the effects of nanopesticides in the aquatic and terrestrial environments, along with related subjects including fate, behaviour, mechanisms of action and toxicity. Moreover, the book discusses the potential risks of nanopesticides for non-target organisms, as well as regulatory issues and future perspectives.

Controlled Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture provides a comprehensive examination of precision fertilizer applications using the 4-R approach—the right amount of fertilizer at the right time to the right plant at the correct stage of plant growth. This volume consolidates detailed information on each aspect of controlled release fertilizers, including up-to-date literature citations, the current market for controlled release fertilizers and patents. Presenting the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas, this book provides in-depth insight into state-of-the-art controlled release mechanisms of fertilizers, techniques, and their use in sustainable agriculture. Conventional release mechanisms have historically meant waste of fertilizers and the adverse effects of that waste on the environment. Controlled release delivery makes significant strides in enhancing fertilizer benefit to the target plant, while protecting the surrounding environment and increasing sustainability. - Presents cutting-edge interdisciplinary insights specifically focused on the controlled release of fertilizers - Explores the benefits and challenges of 4-R fertilizer use - Includes expertise from leading researchers in the fields of agriculture, polymer science, and nanotechnology working in industry, academics, government, and private research institutions across the globe - Presents the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas

The concept of controlled release has attracted increasing attention over the last two decades, with the applications of this technology proliferating in diverse fields in cluding medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. Research and developmental efforts related to controlled release are multiplying in both industry and academia. The reason for this phenomenal growth is obvious. The use of a variety of biologically active agents, such as drugs, fertilizers and pesticides, has become an integral part of modern society. Along with the use of these reagents has evolved an awareness that their uncontrolled application almost inevitably induces harmful effects on the health of humans and their surrounding environments. To eliminate or minimize these harmful effects necessitates the controlled release of these chemicals. Moreover, the controlled release of substances, not usually considered toxic or hazardous, e.g., some catalysts and nutrients, can enhance their effectiveness. The number and variety of controlled release systems, differing in their physical and chemical makeup, are increasing rapidly. Proliferation almost always demands correlation, generalization and unification; it requires both the development of underlying theories of their behavior and the mechanistic interpretation of their performance. This, in turn, requires a statistical and mathematical (quantitative) treatment of the scientific information and technical data pertaining to them. A quantitative treatment can also facilitate the formulation of procedures for computer-aided design of these systems through a priori prediction of their per formance for a variety of design parameters.

The FAO/WHO Manual on development and use of FAO and WHO specifications for pesticides contains general principles and methodologies of the work undertaken by JMPS, is the continuous evaluation of new scientific developments and guidance documents. The Manual gives the historical background of the operation of the JMPS and describes the purpose of the work. The Manual is also used by countries as a guidance document in setting pesticide specifications. This 3rd revision of the Manual contains n ew methodologies/principles developed in recent 5 years and incorporates the current working principles applied by the JMPS.

This important volume provides new research on the design and application of ecologically safe formulations for protecting cultivated crops against pathogen-causing diseases and weeds—that also provide nitrogen fertilizers at the same time. The authors make a significant contribution to the development and agricultural use of environmentally safe and biodegradable new-generation pesticides with targeted and controlled release of active ingredients. They discuss the problems associated with the use and accumulation of xenobiotics in the biosphere and present highlights of modern trends in the design of new-generation formulations. The authors present their original research results on the properties of herbicides, fungicides, and nitrogen fertilizers deposited in a degradable polymer base and the effectiveness of the use of these formulations in laboratory ecosystems with higher plants infected with fusariosis and weeds. The research provided here provides a new direction for the use of degradable polymers, essential for the creation of ecologically safe agricultural technologies and reducing uncontrolled accumulation and spread of xenobiotics in the biosphere.

This work highlights the physical chemistry of surfactant solutions, detailing a fundamental method of selecting surfactants for agrochemical formulations and delineating how surfactants enhance the biological efficacy of agrochemicals. The unique properties of surfactants that have a major influence on the performance of an agrochemical are summarized.;The book is intended for physical, surface and colloid chemists; biochemists; microbiologists; agronomists; research and development personnel in the pesticide and fertilizer industries; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students taking chemistry and chemical engineering courses.;College and university bookstores may order five or more copies at a special price which is available on request from Marcel Dekker Inc.