A Mini Review on Natural Safeners: Chemistry, Uses, Modes of Action, and Limitations

Herbicide injury is a common problem during the application of herbicides in practice. However, applying herbicide safeners can avoid herbicide damage. Safeners selectively protect crops against herbicide injury without affecting the biological activity of herbicides against the target weeds. However, after long-term application, commercial safeners were found to pose risks to the agricultural ecological environment. Natural safeners are endogenous compounds from animals, plants, and microbes, with unique structures and are relatively environment-friendly, and thus can address the potential risks of commercial safeners. This paper summarizes the current progress of the discovery methods, structures, uses, and modes of action of natural safeners. This study also concludes the limitations of natural safeners and prospects the future research directions, offering guidance for the practical application of natural safeners to prevent herbicide injury. This study will also guide the research and development of corresponding products.