Excessive use of synthetic herbicides in agricultural practices has induced resistance in weed species, and it causes deleterious impacts on humans and the environment. In this study, with the aim of developing a natural-product-based herbicide, we assessed germination indices following exposure to nanocurcumin (15, 20, and 25 mmol/L) in weeds (Avena ludoviciana, Lolium rigidum, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Lepyrodiclis holosteoides) and agricultural species (Lactuca sativa L. and Solanum lycopersicum). Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared using a microemulsion-based method and characterized for size and surface charge. The size of SLNs was 67.78 ± 12.84 nm, with a low polydispersity index (0.198). Viscosity measured using a Brookfield viscometer showed slight changes with increasing stress and speed (0.001 to 0.004 Pa/s). Germination indices in both weed and agricultural species showed a dose-dependent decrease. The highest concentration of nanocurcumin demonstrated inhibitory effects on growth, with potencies similar to standard pesticides. The present study concludes that the potential phytotoxicity of nanocurcumin against weeds may suggest its application within sustainable agricultural systems.

Keywords