As agrochemical formulations continue to evolve under stricter regulatory requirements and rising performance expectations, the choice of solvents and functional additives has become increasingly critical. Modern formulators are challenged to balance solubility, biological efficacy, formulation stability, and environmental safety within a single system.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a highly polar aprotic solvent, has emerged as a versatile solution in this context. Owing to its exceptional solvency, penetration-enhancing ability, and favorable toxicological profile, DMSO is increasingly applied across a wide range of pesticide and agricultural input formulations.

This article provides an overview of the functional roles, formulation advantages, and comparative performance of DMSO in modern agrochemical applications, including EC, SC, OD, WP, spray adjuvants, fertilizers, and plant growth regulation systems.

1. Introduction

DMSO is a highly polar aprotic solvent used across diverse chemical industries. In pesticide formulation science, it enables effective solubilization, dispersion, stability enhancement, and biological efficacy improvements. Growing regulatory pressure on traditional solvents has accelerated the shift toward safer, more efficient alternatives such as DMSO.

Herewith it provides an overview of DMSO’s functionality and features across major formulation types.

2. Performance and Features of DMSO

• Solubilizes highly polar and poorly soluble active ingredients (AIs)

• Enhances milling efficiency and particle-size reduction in SC formulations

• Improves foliar uptake and systemic translocation of herbicides

• Stabilizes emulsions and oil-based structures

3. Formulation Examples

3.1 Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) – Avermectin EC

DMSO Role:

Dissolves polar and Non-polar Ais prevents crystallization and separation improves emulsion quality.

Alternatives compared with DMSO:

NMP: Strong performance,but regulated.

DMF: Toxic and regulated.

Aromatics: Low polarity.

DMSO: Good balance between solvency and safety,regulation concern.

3.2 Suspension Concentrate (SC) – Imidacloprid SC

DMSO Role:

Improves milling efficiency. Prevents agglomerates

Alternatives & Comparison:

PG: Safe but weak performance

Glycerol: Viscous

DMSO: Best wetting & grinding performance

3.3 Oil Dispersion (OD) – Pyraclostrobin OD

DMSO Role:

Enhances dispersion. Reduces sedimentation. Improves oil–AI compatibility

Alternatives & Comparison:

Methyl oleate: Weak polarity

Veg oils: Inconsistent

NMP: Regulation concern

DMSO: Balance between performace and regulation perspective

3.4 Wettable Powder / WP – 2,4-D WP

DMSO Role:

Enhances foliar penetration & uptake of weak-acid herbicides in Tank mix adjuvants.

Alternatives & Comparison:

3.5 Spray Adjuvant System – Glyphosate + DMSO

DMSO Role:

Boosts systemic translocation. Improves cuticular penetration

Alternatives & Comparison:

3.6 in Fertilizers, Nitrogen Stabilizer Formulation

DMSO Role:

Acts as a carrier and penetrant for fertilizers, enhancing nutrient delivery and stability

Alternatives & Comparison:

3.7 Plant Growth Regulation and Virus Suppression Effects

DMSO Role:Stimulates plant growth by enhancing nutrient assimilation and hormone production; suppresses virus symptoms and fungal pathogenicity by inhibiting mycelial growth, conidial germination, and promoting antioxidant effects.

Alternatives & Comparison: 

4. Comparative Analysis

DMSO out-performs conventional solvents such as NMP and DMF in terms of toxicity and regulatory compliance. Compared to methylated seed oils (MSO), DMSO provides enhanced penetration with lower phytotoxicity risk. Silicone surfactants deliver excellent spreading but do not improve solvation or penetration.

5. Conclusion

DMSO provides powerful functional benefits across multiple pesticide formulation classes. Its broad solvency, stability enhancement, and biological performance improvement make it a preferred tool for modern formulation development.