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

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发管理植物寄生线虫(PPN)的技术。使用拟议的技术，杀线虫剂的使用量可能是目前商业使用量的1/100或更低，从而显著减少线虫种群，显著提高作物产量。此外，还有可能提供与杀线虫剂同时使用的其他作物生产部分，包括化肥、生物制品、杀虫剂或杀菌剂。PPN对经济作物的侵染每年造成超过1250亿美元的全球农作物损失，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，给全球粮食安全带来压力。PPN影响到每个农业环境和行业的每一种作物，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。对于一些农作物，如大豆，线虫被认为是主要的害虫。对于其他作物，线虫极大地导致了净减产。实现安全和有效的线虫控制是环境可持续农业运动的关键部分。这个i-Corps项目基于一个平台的开发，该平台使田间可部署的纸状种子处理(经杀线虫处理的香蕉纸)能够对抗植物寄生线虫(PPN)。减少作物对PPN的侵染将提高作物产量和品质，减少土壤线虫种群。这项拟议的技术将古老的造纸术与线虫学和纤维材料方面的专业知识相结合，使在作物建立期间能够有针对性地输送有益的小分子。将活性成分加入到香蕉纸等木质纤维素基质中，可以有效地分发作物保护剂，而不会干扰耕作实践。该质地稳定的轻质材料可在种植中应用。正在开发的原型是一种带有穿孔部分的“主动”纸片，用于简单地包裹和保护种子(片)。活性成分的定位，无论是直接吸附的还是嵌入到纸中的，都是针对PPN和有益生物的。线虫主要是一种苗期病害，因此及早进行根部保护对作物的成功建立至关重要。早期的季节控制也减少了根茎和块茎作物的收获后损失。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节内和收获后损失的重大感染。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.