Controlled Release Formulations for Anionic Herbicides

Background

• High concentrations of herbicides are used to compensate for loss due to leaching and surface migration.
• The Current Slow-release and controlled-release Herbicides are specifically designed for hydrophobic formulations, but not suitable for anionic formulations such as Sulfonylureas, Imidazolinones and Triazolopyrimidines.

Our Innovation

Herbicides that are negatively charged at pH 6.0 or above are incorporated into positively charged micelles or vesicles. The micelle or vesicle is adsorbed onto negatively-charged clay mineral, such as smectite or sepiolite.

Key Features

• The herbicide is released slowly, reducing leaching to deeper layers and contamination of soil and water.
• The herbicide is delivered close to its target, enhancing efficiency and reducing concentration required.
• The new formulation is also suitable for hydrophobic herbicides.

The Opportunity

• The worldwide agricultural and non-crop (home and garden markets and usage in industrial, governmental and commercial use) herbicide market is constantly growing.

Project manager

Ilya Pittel
VP, BD AGTECH, FOODTECH, VETERINARY & ENVIRONMENT

Project researchers

Baruch Rubin
HUJI, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences
Plant Sciences and Genetics

Shlomo Nir
HUJI, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences
Soil and Water Sciences

Yael Mishael
HUJI, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences
Soil and Water Sciences