Polymeric Pesticide Delivery Systems to Control Environmental Hazards

In order to achieve the desired target of food requirements, more and more agrochemicals are applied to the field. The use of these indispensable chemicals has led to serious ecological /health problems because of their possible migration to environment due to leaching and volatilization. Hence, one should use these chemicals vary carefully to minimize the above mentioned problems. Recently, polymer based formulations have been proposed for their slow release from the formulation. Polymer hydrogels based controlled release formulations of agrochemicals minimize the impact of these chemicals on the environment and health by reducing their losses due to leaching, volatilization and degradation and thereby maintaining biological efficacy of active ingredient for longer period. Apart from providing slow release of pesticide, hydrogels can increase the water holding capacity of soil and therefore can also act as water management materials for agricultural applications. The increase of water retention in the soil promotes an increase in germination of seeds, reduces water and nutrient losses, and diminishes irrigation/ management costs.