Preparation of High Foliar Adhesion Disulfide-Functionalized Yeast Microcapsules for Targeted Pesticide Release

Controlled-release technology represents the most critical approach to addressing low pesticide utilization efficiency, yet challenges such as poor targeting and weak leaf affinity persist. This study established a "green carrier-smart response-high-efficiency deposition" intelligent delivery system based on yeast microcapsules. Leveraging the three-dimensional porous structure of yeast microcapsules, this system achieves efficient loading of avermectin (AVM) through passive diffusion. This system achieved excellent targeted drug release and leaf surface deposition performance through the cross-linking of the intelligent shell layer formed by the surface disulfide bonds. This system has precise responsiveness to the environment. Under low and high concentrations of glutathione, the 160-h pesticide release rates were 17.84% and 91.2% respectively. Meanwhile, a storage leakage rate of 0.64% further confirmed the excellent targeting efficiency of this system. Moreover, due to its dense cross-linking structure, it also significantly enhances the interaction between the carrier and the surface of the blade. The rainfall simulation test shows that the retention amount of this pesticide on the corn leaves is five times that of the commercial avermectin suspension concentrate, demonstrating an extremely strong ability to resist rain erosion. This provides an innovative solution for achieving precise pesticide delivery and efficient leaf deposition.