An environmental-friendly pesticide-fertilizer combination fabricated by in-situ synthesis of ZIF-8

Highlights: • An environmental-friendly synthesis strategy was developed. • A pesticide-fertilizer combination was fabricated by in-situ fabrication of ZIF-8. • The integration of plant protection and nutrient supply was achieved. • Germination and growth of corn seeds were improved. Stimulus-responsive pesticide or fertilizer systems have been emerged to improve the use efficiency of agrochemicals, reduce over-application and ensuing environmental problems. However, environmental-friendly synthesis of these systems still remain challenging. In this work, an environmental-friendly synthesis strategy has been developed to form a pesticide and fertilizer combination to achieve the integration of plant protection and nutrient supply. This pesticide-fertilizer combination system was fabricated using ammonium zinc phosphate (ZNP) and in-situ synthesized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as nutrients resources, and dinotefuran (DNF) as a pesticide. DNF was encapsulated in-situ (loading capacity of 12.32 ± 0.46%) during the ZIF-8 crystal synthesis process, rather than loaded by further adsorption, which improved its stability and prevented premature or rapid release. The hydrophobic ZIF-8 provided a pH-responsive slow-release behavior. The cumulative released DNF within seven days at pH 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0 was 66.30%, 40.41%, and 37.44%, respectively. The pesticide-fertilizer combination system showed significant effects on corn seed pre-cultivation, soil cultivation and pest control. This work provides a strategy for the integration of pesticide and fertilizer, which will reduce negative environmental effects caused by their over-applications and have great potential in modern sustainable agriculture.