Abstract
Technology has been developed for using starch as a matrix-forming polymer to entrap or encapsulate a broad range of chemical and biological pest control agents. Starch-encapsulated chemical herbicides and pesticides are safer to handle and improve efficacy of pest control through better delivery to the target pest and through reduction in losses of chemical that normally occur through evaporation, leaching and light decomposition. Release of the active agent from the matrix can be controlled by manipulation of the matrix properties through chemical or physical treatments, incorporation of other additives or selection of processing conditions. Performing the encapsulation in a twin-screw extruder provides a highly efficient versatile and continuous process amenable to commercialization. Thousand pound quantities of three selected herbicides are being evaluated in a multi-state study in 1990 and 1991 for weed control and reduction in ground water contamination.
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