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Pesticides and Their Formulations
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5
Pesticides and Their Formulations
Mukesh Kumar Mishra1, Shailendra Kumar Mishra2,
Lakshmi Pandey3 and Arun Kumar4
1
Assistant Professor
2
Research Scholar
3
P.G. Student, Department of Entomology, Banda University of Agriculture &
Technology, Banda-210 001 (U.P.)
4
Research Scholar, Department of Entomology, CSAUA&T, Kanpur (U.P.)
*
Corresponding Author Email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT
It is impossible to overstate the importance of pesticides in reducing crop losses,
lowering the cost of food, and enhancing food quality. This has highlighted the
significance of pesticide formulations. To evenly distribute a little amount of an
active chemical over a vast region, pesticide active components are formulated
for crop protection. The aim is to maximise pesticide effectiveness while ensuring
safety in handling and application. For the minimal effective quantity to be
precisely sprayed to target regions, the pesticide formulation must be physically
and chemically homogeneous under all predicted storage circumstances. In any
pest control procedure including pesticides, choosing the right formulation is a
crucial step. It is a crucial managerial choice that affects revenue, client happiness,
public safety, and environmental quality. Understanding the characteristics of
various formulations is important for both the supervisor and the applicator. Both
the concentrated and diluted substance are in close proximity to the applicators. It
is necessary to understand the safety characteristics of the formulation being used
out of a basic, personal concern for one's health and the health of others.
Keywords: Pesticide, formulation, handling, minimal effective, environmental
safety
Introduction
The toxicant must be able to be applied effectively in order to come into touch
with the pest or leaf and to leave a uniform and permanent deposit on the plant
surface. Pesticide in chemically pure form is known as technical grade
pesticides. These cannot be applied as such due to high toxicity and complex
58 Recent Research and Innovation in Plant Protection
physical properties. They are converted into a ready to-use form known as
formulation. Formulation converts the technical grade pesticide into a
product which can be suitably diluted & applied by practical methods. Which
have homogeneous distribution over large area, convenient to handle and more
attractive to the pest. Formulation can be defined as “a physical mixture of
pesticide with inert ingredients which can be suitably stored, transported
and applied by practical means to achieve effective, safe and economic
control of pests” or it is a substance which processed through formulation
in order to increase its storage, handling, application, efficacy, safety
for the user and the environment, and financial success. Grewal (2005)
defined as “formulation is the process of creating a product from an active
component by adding various active (functional) and non-active (inert)
ingredients”. or the formulants are defined as inert diluents, they are usually
not required to be tested for chronic toxicity (R. Mesnage et al., 2013 & 2019).
It is the last physical state in which pesticide is offered for sale. The mode of
application is generally constrained by the formulation, which describes what
and how other ingredients are combined with the active component.
There are several "formulas" for pesticides and majority of technical pesticides
are created by combining one or more active ingredients (a.i.), which kill pests
with inert substances, diluents, preservatives, adjuvants, etc. prior to use in
order to create a product that is efficient, simple to handle and apply, has a
good shelf life, and is free of unfavourable side effects. The qualities of the
inert component, coupled with the properties of the active ingredient, define
the signal word that is shown on the product label. Some inert substances
offer health concerns to pesticide handlers or applicators. Due to the inert
ingredients present in the formulation, pesticide products with the same active
ingredient are marketed in the form of granules, dusts, solutions, wettable
powder, flowable suspension concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, spray able
oils, aerosols etc. (H. Muntz et al., 2016).
A formulation is categorised as based on their physical condition in the container
at the time, solids or liquids buy time. More than one active component may
be included in a formulation, and many of them must be further diluted with a
suitable carrier (such as water) before usage. Several alternative formulations
of the same pesticide are frequently offered for sale and it is grouped in two
major categories:
• Conventional Formulations: Formulations which are being used in
agriculture and public health sector for long time viz., Dustable Powder
(DP), Wettable Powder (WP), Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC), Soluble
Concentrate (SL), Granules (GR): Coated & Impregnated and Baits
formulation.
Pesticides and Their Formulations 59
• Safer Formulation or New Generation Formulations: These are
safe, user & environment friendly effective products viz., Suspension
Concentrate (SC), Water Dispersible Granules (WG), Concentrated
Emulsion (EW), Microemulsion (ME), Controlled Release Formulation
(CR), Suspo-emulsion Formulation (SE), Tablet Formulation (WT) and
Gel Bait.
The pesticide formulations are also grouped on the basis of their physical
appearance in the market as solid, liquid and other formulations:
Fig. Classification of pesticidal formulations (Source: http://apvma.gov.au/node/10901)
60 Recent Research and Innovation in Plant Protection
Solid formulation
1. Granules (G): (Ingredient: Pesticide, carriers, (river sand/marble hips),
Coating agent) Formulations that are ready to use are granules. Either the
granules' outside is coated with the active component, or it is absorbed by
tiny clay, tale, or other carrier particles. The amount of
2. Powders for dry seed treatment (DS): This type of formulation look like
a powder for application in the dry state, directly to the seed.
3. Emulsifiable granules (EG): It is a granular formulation, which may
contain water-insoluble formulants, to be applied as an oil-in-water
emulsion of the active constituent(s) after disintegration in water.
4. Emulsifiable powders (EP): It is a powder formulation, which may
contain water-insoluble formulants, to be applied as an oil-in-water
emulsion of the active constituent(s) after dispersion in water.
5. Water soluble gel (GW): It is a gelatinized formulation to be applied as
an aqueous solution.
6. Water Soluble Granules (SG): It is a granule formulation to be applied as
a true solution of the active ingredient after dissolution in water, but which
may contain insoluble inert ingredients.
7. Water soluble powder (SP): A powder preparation to be applied as a
true solution of the active substance after solution in water but which
may contain insoluble. These mixtures resemble wettable granules in
appearance. But when combined with water, soluble powders easily
dissolve and create a real solution. There is no need for extra agitation
after a thorough mixing. Soluble powders include an active component in
concentrations ranging from 15% to 95%.
8. Water soluble powder for seed treatment (SS): It is a powder formulation
to be dissolved in water before application to the seed.
9. Tablet Formulation (Main components: effervescent tablet includes
active ingredients, effervescent disintegrants, thinners, adhesives,
surfactants, lubricants, glidants and others.
It is characterized by low or no water solubility, a complementary delivery
system containing an organic acid, an inorganic base, a dispersant,
a disintegrant, and a wetting agent an contain about 20% to 75% of a
pesticide.
a) Water soluble tablets (ST): It is a tablet formulation to be used
individually, to form a solution of the active ingredient after
disintegration in water. The formulation may contain water-insoluble
formulants.
Pesticides and Their Formulations 61
b) Water-dispersible tablets (WT): It is a tablet formulation to be
used individually, to form a dispersion of the active constituent after
disintegration in water.
10. Water dispersible granules (WDG): These are granule-sized, dust-
free particles made from compressed WP formulations. The granules
disintegrate into a fine powder when they are stirred in water. These
products contain wetting agent and dispersing agent similar to those
used in wettable powders, but the dispersing agent is usually at higher
concentration. Water dispersible granules are usually more expensive than
older types of formulations (dusts, wettable powders) but their safety and
greater convenience regarding application make them still desirable for
many users (Knowles, 2008).
11. Wettable powder (WP): (Ingredient: pesticide, diluents/ carrier, wetting
and dispersing agents) These are the pesticide formulation consisting of
the active ingredient in a finely ground state combined with wetting agents
and sometimes bulking agents (www.crodacropcare.com). Wettable
powder are free-flowing powders that contain wetting and dispersion
agents, carriers, and a majority of technical material between 25 and 75
percent. When dissolved in water, WPs create suspension.
12. Water-dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment (WS): It is a
powder formulation to be dispersed at high concentration in water before
application as slurry to the seed.
13. Dust (D): (Ingredients: Pesticide, Carrier/Diluents): It is a pesticide
formulation in which, the toxicant is diluted either by mixing with or by
impregnation on a suitable finely divided carrier. The finished product may
contain 0.1-25 per cent of the toxicant. The particle size of dusts ranges
between 1 and 40. In general, the toxicity of an insecticide increases as the
particle size decreases.
14. Baits (B): (Composition: Pesticide, Diluents, food attractant): These are
ready-to-use formulations (RTUs) that combine an active component with
food or another alluring material. Pests are either drawn to the bait or it is
placed in an area where they will locate it.
Liquid formulation
A. Simple solution
1. Solutions for seed treatment (LS): It is a clear to opalescent liquid to be
applied to the seed either directly or as a solution of the active constituent
after dilution in water. The liquid may contain water-insoluble formulants.
62 Recent Research and Innovation in Plant Protection
2. Oil-miscible liquids (OL): It is a homogeneous liquid formulation to be
applied as a homogeneous liquid after dilution in an organic liquid.
3. Soluble concentrates (SL): It a clear to opalescent liquid to be applied as
a solution of the active constituent after dilution in water. The liquid may
contain water-insoluble formulants.
4. Ultra-low-volume (ULV) liquids (UV): It is a homogeneous liquid ready
for use through ultra-low-volume (ULV) sprayer. These products are
designed to be sprayed without dilution, and thus must be applied very
carefully with specialized equipment. In addition to the active ingredient
and a solvent system in which the active is very soluble, UL products often
contain surface-active agents and drift control substances.
B. Solutions for dispersion
1. Dispersible concentrates (DC): It is a liquid homogeneous formulation
to be applied as a solid dispersion after dilution in water.
2. Emulsifiable concentrate (EC): (Ingredient: Pesticide, Solvents,
Emulsifiers, Stabilizers)The formulation consists of the toxin, the toxin's
solvent, and an emulsifier. It is a transparent solution that, when diluted
with water to spray strength, forms an emulsion of the oil-in-water kind.
Spraying a solvent causes it to swiftly evaporate, leaving a toxicant deposit
where water also evaporates.
C. Emulsions
1. Emulsions for seed treatment (ES): This formulation is a stable emulsion
for application to the seed, either directly or after dilution.
2. Emulsions, oil-in-water (EW): (Composition: Active ingredient,
emulsifier, antifreezing agent anti- foaming agent and preservative and
water); This formulation is physically stabilised by specifically identified
polymeric surfactants incorporated at an appropriate level. The emulsion
has already been established in the formulation and is only diluted
further in the spray mixture. They can be considered as a safer and more
environmentally friendly alternative to emulsifiable concentrates. In an
EW the continuous phase is water (as opposed to an organic solvent for
ECs) which offers the benefit of lower phytotoxicity, no flashpoint concern,
ease of handling, and a lower environmental impact.
3. Microemulsion (ME) (Composition: Active ingredient, Min. solvent
Emulsifier, Co- surfactant water); Microemulsion is water-based
formulations with a very small emulsified droplet size; this makes the
formulation transparent. It is thermodynamically stable over a wide
Pesticides and Their Formulations 63
temperature range due to this very fine droplet size, usually between 0.01
and 0.05 μm.
D. Suspensions
1. Aqueous capsule suspensions (CS): This formulation is designation for
a stable suspension of micro-encapsulated active ingredient in an aqueous
continuous phase, which is normally intended for dilution with water
before use.
2. Flowable concentrates for seed treatment (FS): It is a modification of
suspension concentrates with supplemental additives for adhesion to the
seed surface and colourants as safety markers to indicate that a seed has
been treated with a product. It can be to the seed, either directly or after
dilution and now the most popular type of seed treatment because they are
concentrated formulations and are safer to apply as they are water based.
3. Oil-based suspension concentrates (OD): It is stable suspension of
active constituent(s) in water-immiscible fluid, which may contain other,
dissolved active constituent(s), intended for dilution with water before use.
It is containing high melting a.i. with low solvent solubility and dispersed
in oil as fine particles.
4. Aqueous suspension concentrates (SC): (Composition: Active
ingredient, surfactants, thickener, antifreezing agent, antifoaming); The
active component is included in this liquid formulation as a solvent that
is compatible with water. During spraying, the solvent is combined with
water and dissolves, leaving the active component intact. A surfactant
is used to provide wetting power. They are created using a wet grinding
technique, and their range of particle sizes is 1 to 10 m. Small particles are
kept from re-aggregating during the grinding process by inert substances
that are adsorbed onto particle surfaces. Due to the active ingredient's
increased access to plant tissues due to the smaller particle size, these
substances frequently display improved bio efficacy when used. They
have several benefits since they are water-based, including ease of pouring
and measuring, operator and environmental safety, and affordability.
Consequently, they are growing in popularity as a formulation type
(Woods, 2003; Knowles, 2005).
E. Dual character liquid formulation
1. Aqueous suspo-emulsions (SE): (Composition: Insoluble solid (a.i.) as
dispersed particle, insoluble liquid (a.i.), as oil droplets, surfactants, water
as bulk phase); It is a fluid, heterogeneous formulation consisting of a
64 Recent Research and Innovation in Plant Protection
stable dispersion of active constituent(s) in the form of solid particles and
fine globules in a continuous water phase. The formulation is intended for
dilution into water prior to spray application.
F. Multi character liquid formulation
1. Mixed formulations of CS and SC (ZC): It is a mixed formulation
of capsule suspensions and suspension concentrates. This formulation
consists a stable aqueous suspension of microcapsules of one technical
material combined with a fine particle of second technical material in an
aqueous phase together with suitable formulants. In microcapsules, the
active ingredient is inside discrete, inert, polymeric microcapsules to
provide slow release second active ingredient is free to provide immediate
effect. This formulation is intended for dilution into water prior to spray
application and it is easy to handle and measure, dust free, non-flammable
and offer good miscibility with water. It is working as broad spectrum
pesticide formulation.
2. Mixed formulations of CS and EW (ZW): It is a mixed formulation
of capsule suspensions and emulsions, oil-in-water. The formulation
consists of an emulsion of fine droplets of technical material in the form
of the combination of a suspension of microcapsules in an aqueous phase
together with suitable formulants. In the case of microcapsules, the active
ingredient is present inside discrete, inert, polymeric microcapsules. After
gentle agitation the material must appear homogeneous and be suitable for
dilution in water worked and provide a broad-spectrum pest control.
3. Mixed formulations of CS and SE (ZE): It is a mixed formulation of
capsule suspensions and suspo-emulsions. The formulation consists of an
emulsion of fine droplets of technical material and a suspension of fine
particles of technical material in an aqueous phase, together with suitable
formulants. After gentle agitation the material must appear homogeneous
and be suitable for dilution in water.
G. Formulations prepared as devices
1. Mosquito coils (MC): It a coil that burns without producing a flame and
releases the active constituent into the local atmosphere as a vapour.
2. Vaporising mats (MV): It is a mat, which made from pulp, or other
suitable inert materials, and impregnated with an active constituent.
The mat is intended for use in a heating unit designed to produce slow
volatilisation of the active constituent.
Pesticides and Their Formulations 65
3. Liquid vaporisers (LV): It is liquid formulation in a cartridge, designed
to fit a suitable heating unit, from which the formulation passes up a heated
wick and evaporates into the local atmosphere.
H. Other formulations
1. Aerosol dispensers (AE): It consist of a liquid formulation in a pressurised,
non-refillable aerosol dispenser, containing propellant(s), synergist(s) and
other formulants, as required, intended for release of the active ingredient
into the air in the form of an aerosol.
2. Controlled release formulation (CR) (Composition: Active ingredient
Polymer, Surfactant) Controlled-release formulations are absorbed more
slowly than conventional tablets and produce more stable serum levels
during the day and at night, even when given twice daily as compared with
conventional tablets given three times daily. Peak serum concentrations
are usually attained within 4–8 h with plain tablets.
3. Neem based water dispersible granules: It is a neem-based insecticide
formulation with 0.1-3 mm diameter particles which are free flowing and
dust free with a homogenous dispersion in water.
4. Nanoemulsions of botanicals: Many botanical based nanoemulsions
viz., castor oil nanoemulsion, cashew nut shell liquid, neem nanoemulsion
+ biodiesel waste as co-solvent and neem oil nanoemulsion + botanical
synergist are also available.
Nanopesticides: These are nanostructures with two to three dimensions
between 1 to 200 nm, used to carry agrochemical ingredients (AcI) and
synthesized by using carbon nanotubes and graphene-based nanoparticles. In
formulation development and drug delivery, the term 'nanoparticles' refers to
a variety of particles used to deliver drug products or proteins to their target
site. These include liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) micelles
and polymeric nanoparticles. it increases the solubility of water-insoluble
pesticides, attacks only on target pests, and protects the premature degradation
of pesticide. The common nanocarrier types include polymers (b1–b4) such
as chitosan, cellulose and polyethylene existing in the forms of nanocapsules
(b1), nanospheres (b2), nano(hydro)gels (b3) and nanomicelles (b4), clay NMs
(for example, silica, montmorillonite and kaolinite; b5), nanocomposites (b6),
carbon nanotubes (CNTs; b7) etc. (Rajna et al., 2019).
Purposes of pesticidal formulation
Formulations improves the properties of a chemical for handling, storage,
application and may substantially influence effectiveness and safety (Knowles,
1998).
66 Recent Research and Innovation in Plant Protection
The following purposes of pesticidal formulations are mentioned below:
a) To make improve handling and application of pesticide easy
b) To maximize biological efficacy
c) To improve defects in pesticides
d) To make pesticides safer for workers and users
e) To reduce harmful effects and impact on non-target organism and the
environments
f) To give various order to pesticides in order to broaden their spectrum of
activity
Conclusion
Pesticide development, usage, disposal, and storage continue to be issues.
Despite the fact that contemporary agrochemical businesses are dedicated
to creating secure formulations to prevent persistent and bio accumulative.
Given the inherent properties of chemicals, it is difficult to anticipate and
prevent all potential detrimental effects of pesticides on human health and
entire ecosystems. Even contemporary pesticides with purportedly short half-
lives can linger in soil for up to many years in some circumstances, posing
a risk to soil invertebrates. Alternative approaches (such as the creation of
bio pesticides) might reduce harmful qualities and hasten the emergence
of resistance in the quest of safety. To decrease the amount of dangerous
ingredients in pesticide products and innovative technology are actively
being developed. For instance, Nano carriers lessen pesticide losses and delay
release, due to improved affinity to the target pest species, and increase the
precision of delivery of active chemicals. Government regulations are a crucial
part in ensuring the safety of agricultural goods for consumers. The testing of
formulants' safety for non-target species based on thorough and trustworthy
data on their effects, the necessary examination of the long-term impacts of
adjuvants, and improving the predictive capacity of formulants.
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Pesticides and Their Formulations 67
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