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

I-Corps项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发植物寄生线虫（PPN）管理技术。利用所提出的技术，杀线虫剂的施用量可能只有目前商业施用量的1/100或更少，并能显著减少线虫种群，显著提高作物产量。此外，还有可能将其他作物生产成分与杀线虫剂协同使用，包括肥料、生物制剂、杀虫剂或杀菌剂。经济作物的PPN感染每年造成全球超过1250亿美元的作物损失，PPN被认为是最具破坏性的生物作物压力源，在没有可行的管理选择的情况下，影响全球粮食安全。PPN影响每一种农业环境和工业中的每一种作物，包括小农和有机农业、林业、大田和卡车作物、观赏植物和草坪。对于一些作物，如大豆，线虫被认为是主要害虫。对于其他作物，线虫对产量净减少的贡献很大。实现安全有效的线虫控制是环境可持续农业运动的关键部分。I-Corps项目的基础是开发一个平台，使现场可部署的类纸种子处理（杀线虫剂处理的香蕉纸）能够对抗植物寄生线虫（PPN）。减少作物PPN侵染将提高作物产量和品质，减少土壤线虫数量。拟议的技术结合了古老的造纸艺术与线虫学和纤维材料的专业知识，能够在作物建立期间靶向递送有益的小分子。将有效成分掺入木质纤维素基质中，如香蕉纸，可以在不干扰农业实践的情况下有效地分配作物保护剂。这种货架稳定的轻质材料可以在种植时使用。正在开发的原型是一个带有穿孔部分的“活动”纸，用于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上，专门针对PPN和有益生物。线虫主要是一种幼苗疾病，因此及早保护根系对作物的成功建立至关重要。季前控制也可以减少块根作物的收获后损失。多年的农场试验结果表明，拟议的技术可以保护块茎作物免受导致季中和收获后损失的重大感染。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.