Development of a nanoemulsion bioherbicide and its herbicidal efficacy

Bioherbicide applications are environmental-friendly approaches to control weeds toward sustainable agriculture. Hence, the current research focused on developing a ready-to-use nanoemulsion bioherbicide from the current less economical WeedLock bioherbicide, furthermore evaluating its weed control efficacy. Nanoemulsion composition comprised 2-undecanone (active ingredient), Termul 5030, POE(20)SMO, and water. The selected formulations were incorporated with 5% active ingredient.

Among the 11 formulations tested, three formulations (WLRF₇, WLRF₉, and WLRF₁₁) showed remarkable stability, in centrifugation, storage stability, and thermostability. Furthermore, screening for weed control efficacy on Ageratum conyzoides L., Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. and Cyperus iria L. at 1345.50 L ha^-1 (WeedLock recommended rate) WLRF₉ formulation exhibited a greater efficacy of 98.39% than WLRF₇ (83.90%) and WLRF₁₁ (91.31%). In the dose-response experiment, at the recommended rate, 98.16%, 98.25%, and 98.38% control efficacy were produced by the WLRF₉ formulation, glufosinate-ammonium, and glyphosate isopropyl-amine, respectively.

Evidently, the new bioherbicide formulation (WLRF₉) has shown excellent efficacy and potential to control weeds. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.