Synergistic effect of ZIF‐8 nanomaterial on 2,4‐D efficacy by regulating auxin synthesis pathway in barnyard grass [ <i>Echinochloa crus‐galli</i> (L.) P. Beauv.]

Abstract Controlled release formulations of pesticides based on ZIF‐8 have garnered extensive attention for their potential to enhance pesticide utilization rates and mitigate the negative impacts associated with pesticide use. However, the effects of ZIF‐8 material on plant metabolism remain unclear. In this research, we developed a 2,4‐D herbicide delivery system based on ZIF‐8 (2,4‐D@ZIF‐8, 162.4 ± 32.6 nm). It was found that the bioactivity of 2,4‐D@ZIF‐8 against barnyard grass was significantly higher than that of technical 2,4‐D at certain concentrations (80, 160, and 320 mg/L). The effects of ZIF‐8 on the metabolism of barnyard grass and the synergistic mechanism were investigated through metabolomic analyses. The results demonstrated that ZIF‐8 influenced the metabolic pathways of barnyard grass in a manner similar to 2,4‐D, thereby further enhancing the inhibitory effects caused by the overstimulation of barnyard grass growth induced by 2,4‐D. ZIF‐8 led to a significant increase in auxin content in barnyard grass, creating a synergistic interaction with the auxin herbicide 2,4‐D. Additionally, it was shown that 2,4‐D@ZIF‐8 was safer than 2,4‐D when applied on wheat. Therefore, 2,4‐D@ZIF‐8 holds great potential and promising application prospects for loading auxin analog herbicides.