Eco-friendly thifluzamide/SiO2 oil-in-water Pickering emulsion with high adhesion on leaf for improving fungicidal efficacy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Thifluzamide (THI) is a globally significant thiazole amide fungicide, particularly effective against Rhizoctonia solani. Because of its limited efficacy at traditional dosages, we constructed an eco-friendly oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion utilizing silanized SiO2 nanoparticles (THI/SiO2 Pickering emulsion). RESULTS The THI/SiO2 Pickering emulsion exhibited excellent dispersion, with an average droplet size of ~170 nm. In comparison with a commercial suspension concentrate (SC) of THI, the THI/SiO2 Pickering emulsion demonstrated better interface properties and improved anti-droplet bounce performance. A fungicidal assay revealed that THI/SiO2 Pickering emulsion was more effective than commercial SC in controlling R. solani. CONCLUSION These findings show that the THI/SiO2 Pickering emulsion possessed superior interfacial properties and fungicidal activity, indicating potential application in the management of R. solani. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.