I-Corps: Solid phase matrix for the formulation of pest control agrochemicals

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发植物寄生线虫管理技术。 使用所提出的技术，杀线虫剂可以以其当前商业比率的1/100或更少施用，并提供线虫种群的显著减少和作物产量的显著增加。 此外，可以与杀线虫剂一起递送其他作物生产部分，包括肥料、生物制剂、杀虫剂或杀真菌剂。PPN对经济作物的感染每年在全球范围内造成超过1250亿美元的作物损失，PPN被认为是最具破坏性的生物作物应激源，在没有可行的管理选择的情况下，使全球粮食安全紧张。PPN影响每一个农业环境和行业中的每一种作物，包括小农和有机农业、林业、大田和卡车作物、蔬菜和草坪。对于一些作物，如大豆，线虫被认为是主要的害虫。对于其他作物，线虫对产量的净减少有很大贡献。实现安全有效的线虫控制是实现环境可持续农业的关键部分。I-Corps项目的基础是开发一个平台，该平台能够实现可现场部署的纸状种子处理（杀线虫剂处理的香蕉纸），以对抗植物寄生线虫（PPN）。 减少作物的PPN感染将提高作物产量和质量，并减少土壤线虫种群。这项技术将古老的造纸技术与线虫学和纤维材料方面的专业知识相结合，能够在作物生长期间有针对性地输送有益的小分子。将活性成分掺入木质纤维素基质如香蕉纸中允许作物保护剂的有效分布而不干扰耕作实践。耐贮存的轻质材料可以在种植时施用。正在开发的原型是一种“活性”纸片，带有穿孔部分，可以简单地包裹和保护种子（片）。活性成分的定位，无论是直接吸附或嵌入在纸中，具体目标PPN与有益的生物体。线虫主要是一种幼苗病害，因此早期的根保护对于作物的成功建立至关重要。早季控制也可以减少块根和块茎作物收获后的损失。多年的农场试验结果表明，该技术可保护块茎作物免受重大感染，从而避免收获季节和收获后的损失。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of technology for management of plant parasitic nematodes (PPN). Using the proposed technology, nematicide may be applied at 1/100th or less its current commercial rate and provide significant reduction in nematode populations and a dramatic increase in crop yield. In addition, it may be possible to deliver other crop production moieties in concert with nematicide, including fertilizer, biologicals, insecticides or fungicides. PPN infection of cash crops causes an excess of $125 billion in worldwide crop damage annually, and PPNs are regarded as the most damaging biotic crop stressor where there is no viable management option, straining global food security. PPN impact every crop plant in every agricultural setting and industry including smallholder and organic farming, forestry, field and truck crops, ornamentals, and turf. For some crops, such as soybean, nematodes are recognized as the major pest. For other crops, nematodes contribute significantly to a net reduction in yield. Achieving safe and effective nematode control is a key part of the movement toward environmentally sustainable agriculture.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a platform enabling a field deployable paper-like seed treatment (nematicide-treated banana paper) to combat plant parasitic nematodes (PPN). Reducing PPN infection of crops will increase crop yield and quality and reduce soil populations of nematodes. The proposed technology combines the ancient art of papermaking with expertise in nematology and fibrous materials, enabling targeted delivery of beneficial small molecules during crop establishment. Incorporation of active ingredients into a lignocellulose matrix, such as banana paper, allows for effective distribution of crop protection agents without interfering with farming practices. The shelf-stable lightweight material may be applied at planting. The prototype under development is an “active” paper sheet with perforated sections to simply wrap and protect the seed (piece). The localization of the active ingredient, either adsorbed directly or embedded in the paper, specifically targets PPN versus beneficial organisms. Nematodes are primarily a seedling disease, so root protection early is critical to the successful establishment of the crop. Early season control translates into reduced post-harvest losses for root and tuber crops as well. Results from multi-year on-farm trials indicate that the proposed technology protects tuber crops from significant infections that lead to both in-season and post-harvest losses.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.