Development of leaf-adhesive polyurethane microcapsules loaded with prochloraz for enhanced fungicide efficiency

Leaf-adhesive pesticide microcapsules represent a promising approach to improving pesticide efficacy while minimizing environmental pollution. In this study, we developed a leaf-adhesive polyurethane microcapsule loaded with prochloraz (Pro@CS-OP-10) using a reactive emulsifier (OP-10) via interfacial polymerization. Physicochemical analysis revealed microcapsules with smooth surfaces and uniform distribution, averaging 1.97 μm in size, with an encapsulation efficiency of 96.38 %. Comparative assessments demonstrated superior wetting and adhesion properties of Pro@CS-OP-10 on wheat leaves compared to other commercial formulations. Moreover, the polyurethane shell effectively enhanced the photostability of encapsulated prochloraz and hindered its rapid release. Fungal growth rate experiments indicated prolonged inhibitory effects of Pro@CS-OP-10 on Fusarium graminearum , with median inhibitory concentrations (EC 50 ) on the second and eighth day being 0.018 mg/L and 0.045 mg/L. Therefore, the leaf-adhesive Pro@CS-OP-10 shows great potential as an environmentally friendly fungicidal formulation.