Adjuvants, Formulations, and Spraying Systems for Improvement of Mycoherbicides

Abstract

Herbicides are used in the production of almost 100% of agronomic crops in the United States and in most horticultural row crops. By volume, herbicides represent nearly two-thirds of all pesticides used in crop production. However, public pressure is mounting to force industry to develop safer, more environmentally responsible approaches for controlling weeds. Biological weed control with plant pathogenic fungi used as mycoherbicides offers such an approach. But there are several biological and environmental limitations which are inherent to nearly all mycoherbicides which must be overcome before they will be widely acceptable for practical use. Recent advances in adjuvant formulation and delivery systems have been used to overcome some of these limitations, such as lengthy dew requirements, inconsistent efficacy, and limited host ranges. Examples of current research to overcome these limitations will be presented in this review.