Applications of natural polysaccharide-based beads for slow release herbicide formulation

Abstract

This work deals with the use of polysaccharide-based beads for controlled release of the herbicide atrazine. This article discusses the release of the herbicide atrazine from neem-alginate-clay-based beads. Formulation characteristics such as entrapment efficiency, bead size, and diffusion mechanism for release of atrazine have been evaluated.

Keywords:

• agro-environmental pollution
• bentonite
• controlled release
• kaolin
• neem leaf

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, New Delhi for providing the financial assistance for this work (Project No. 19/101/2008-RE dated 10.02.2009).