Synthesis, Characterization, and Release Mechanisms of Polymers Containing Pendant Herbicides

Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing pesticide controlled release technology. Much of the impetus has resulted from demands for enhanced agricultural production at lower levels of environmental risk. Most of the activity has been directed toward formulations in which the pesticide is physically dissolved or dispersed in a polymer matrix. Polymers have been prepared in our laboratories which contain labile polymer to pesticide covalent bonds. These linkages are susceptible to aqueous and/or bacterial break-down, resulting in long-term release. Theoretically, the rate of herbicide release can be controlled by changing the nature of the labile bonds or by altering the cross-link density of the polymer. The synthesized systems have been characterized by IR, NMR, U.V., GPC, etc. Release studies have been conducted in aqueous media using U.V. and gas chromatography. In addition, soil mobility and phytotoxicity studies are in progress