Market Assessment of Novel Nematicidal Agents to Improve Crop Production

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This proposal seeks to fund a market assessment of novel nematicidal agents to improve crop production. A major threat to food production everywhere is crop destruction by plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Globally, PPNs are estimated to cause $350 billion in crop losses every year. In some cases, PPNs reduce crop yield by over 80%. As global temperatures rise, the rate of crop infestation by PPNs will increase and additional PPN species will become new threats to Canadian agriculture. Clearly, PPNs pose a serious threat to global food security.Although sound agricultural practices, biologicals, and GMOs can reduce PPN infestation, the more than 4000 different PPN species find ways to circumvent these innovations. Small molecule nematicides have consequently been essential in PPN control strategies. Concerns over environmental toxicity and human safety have justifiably prompted restrictions and bans on many effective nematicides, including the fumigant methyl bromide, and neurotoxic organophosphates and carbamates. Regulations have limited the number of available nematicides such that there are no longer reliable control options for several PPN species, including Meloidogyne hapla that parasitizes Canadian potatoes, onion, tomatoes and other crops. There is a clear need to develop new, safe and effective chemical tools to control PPNs.The Roy Lab has developped an efficient pipeline with which to identify candidate nematicides. With this pipeline, the Roy Lab has identified 9 unique small molecule stuctures that kill PPNs effectively in laboratory tests. The group has filed provisional patents against four of these structures and is working to secure IP for the remainder. The market assessment is the first step towards securing additional I2I funding that will be key in developing these nematicide hits into bona fide marketable nematicides.