Research progress of functionalized carriers in improving the pesticide retention on crop leaves

Retention, a crucial process in pesticide delivery, is closely related to pesticide utilization efficiency and environmental safety. In China, the heavy loss of pesticides in the interface transfer process is a key factor, leading to a low pesticide utilization efficiency. Therefore, a scientific and reasonable way to increase the target deposition efficiency of pesticides is of great significance and is also a major technological issue of the current agricultural development. According to the occurrence, characteristics, and environmental conditions of pests, a variety of efficient, safe, and economical multifunctional pesticide carriers emerged. Such functionalized pesticide carriers can not only regulate the continuous release of pesticides and extend their periods but also improve their retention on crop leaves, which is an important way to improve the effectiveness and safety of pesticides. Thus, the research progress on multifunctional pesticide carriers for the efficient target deposition is reviewed from two key factors: the chemical composition and micro-nano structure of crop leaves. The synthesis method, topological morphology, release performance, foliar retention, and target biological activity of the functionalized carriers have been reviewed. It includes modifying the carrier surface with functional materials (dopamine, tannic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid, etc.), which enhances the non-covalent interaction between pesticides and crop leaves, or constructs carriers with special topologies (fiber-shaped, network type, hat-shaped, etc.) reducing pesticide loss through the size effect between carriers and crop leaves during the interface transfer process, and eventually improving the dosage release efficiency and foliar deposition performance. In addition, the existing problems and application prospects were also analyzed for the further improvement of pesticide utilization efficiency.