Harnessing Chitosan-Based Nanotechnology for Sustainable Weed Control: Advancing Nanoherbicides in Agriculture

The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has driven the development of advanced nano-enabled formulations for herbicide delivery. Chitosan, a natural and biodegradable biopolymer, has emerged as a promising carrier for nanoherbicides due to its ability to enhance herbicidal efficacy, reduce environmental impact, and improve plant uptake mechanisms. This study explores the potential of chitosan-based nanoherbicides as an innovative strategy for weed management, focusing on their physicochemical properties, herbicidal efficiency, and interaction with target plants. Nanoencapsulation has been widely recognized for increasing agrochemicals' bioavailability and controlled release. Our research demonstrates that chitosan-coated nanocarriers significantly improve herbicide performance by increasing leaf adhesion, enhancing active ingredient penetration, and modulating plant herbicide translocation. Chitosan’s positive surface charge enables better interaction with plant tissues and increases post-emergence herbicidal activity. Chitosan-coated atrazine nanocapsules exhibit higher efficiency in inhibiting photosystem II (PSII) activity and reducing weed biomass than conventional formulations. However, our findings indicate that chitosan influences root-to-shoot translocation dynamics, affecting systemic herbicidal activity. Furthermore, computational and experimental approaches reveal the molecular interactions between chitosan, herbicides, and plant cells, shedding light on key factors that dictate nanoparticle behavior in agroecosystems. Incorporating biopolymeric nanocarriers presents a sustainable alternative to synthetic adjuvants, offering a green solution to enhance herbicide performance while mitigating environmental contamination. As agricultural nanotechnology progresses, regulatory frameworks and scalability challenges must be addressed to facilitate the widespread adoption of nanoherbicides. This study provides crucial insights into chitosan’s role in next-generation herbicide formulations, paving the way for innovative, eco-friendly weed management strategies that align with global sustainability goals. Acknowledgments: To the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP - CEPID CBioClima #2021/10639-5) and the National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture (MCTI-CNPq - INCTNanoAgro #405924/2022-4 and CAPES-MEC #88887.953443/2024-00).