Application of Acetochlor Nanocapsule Formulation in Sichuan Ophiopogon japonicus Fields

Shengwei Zheng, Kun Qian, Qianglong Lai, Dan Zhao, Wei Dai () and Lin He ()
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Shengwei Zheng: College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Kun Qian: College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Qianglong Lai: Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Mianyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mianyang 621023, China
Dan Zhao: Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Mianyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mianyang 621023, China
Wei Dai: Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Mianyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mianyang 621023, China
Lin He: College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Weeds pose a significant threat to the production of the medicinal crop Ophiopogon japonicus . Due to the scarcity of registered herbicides for this crop, farmers heavily rely on manual weeding. This study evaluated a novel acetochlor nanocapsule formulation for weed control in Sichuan O. japonicus fields, comparing it to a conventional acetochlor emulsifiable concentrate (EC). Treatments included manual weeding (weed-free control), conventional EC (900 g a.i. ha −1 ), and three nanocapsule doses (450, 900, and 1800 g a.i. ha −1 ). Weed control efficacy was assessed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after application, followed by the measurement of agronomic traits, yield, and the content of bioactive compounds (saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides) post-harvest. The high-dose nanocapsules (1800 g a.i. ha −1 ) provided excellent weed control (96.54% at 45 days), which was better than the EC and lower nanocapsule doses, and extended the control duration. It did not negatively affect key agronomic traits, root tuber morphology, final yield, nor the content of key bioactive compounds compared to the weed-free control. In conclusion, acetochlor nanocapsules, especially at 1800 g a.i. ha −1 , offer an effective and safe weed management strategy for O. japonicus . They provide superior, prolonged weed control without harming crop yield or quality.

Keywords: medicinal crop; Chinese medicinal herbs; herbicide; weed management; sustained-release formulation; nanotechnology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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