Developing novel microparticle and nanoparticle-based controlled release formulations for agriculture

提高农业领域的生产力，特别是在主要农产品供应不断减少的情况下 土地和日益增加的天气压力，对于确保我们现有的粮食供应以及为不断增长的世界人口提供食物都是至关重要的。在这方面，杀虫剂和化肥在提高作物产量方面发挥着至关重要的作用，因为 以及加强作物对干旱、虫害或疾病等环境压力的防御。然而，将军 在农田中使用现有的化学农药和化肥可能会通过径流过程导致迅速损失，这可能会导致 潜在的下游环境问题。能够启动植物免疫反应的物质的配方 为这一挑战提供了一个潜在的解决方案。森科尔能源公司旗下的加拿大石油公司最近开发了一种新的 一类植物免疫反应触发器，当喷洒在植物上时，可以有效地结合和诱导一系列 有益的反应，包括更强的抵御环境压力(如真菌病原体)的能力。穿过 计划与霍尔博士在麦克马斯特的实验室合作，该实验室在设计控释方面拥有丰富的经验 制剂；这些免疫反应触发剂将被配制成受控释放载体。我们预计会有重要的 改善植物压力管理，同时最大限度地减少下游污染。

Increasing the productivity of agricultural fields, particularly in the context of the shrinking availability of prime agricultural land and increasing weather stresses, is essential to both secure our existing food supplies as well as provide for the growing world population. In this context, pesticides and fertilizers play an essential role in both increasing crop yields, as well as enhancing crop defenses against environmental stresses such as drought, pests, or diseases. However, the general application of existing chemical pesticides and fertilizers to fields can lead to rapid loss via run-off processes that can induce potential downstream environmental issues. The formulation of substances that can switch on a plants immune response offers a potential solution to this challenge. Petro-Canada, a Suncor Energy business, has recently developed a new category of plant immune response triggers which when sprayed on plants can effectively bind and induce a range of beneficial responses, including a greater ability to withstand environmental stresses (such as fungal pathogens). Through the proposed collaboration with Dr. Hoare's lab at McMaster, which has extensive experience in designing controlled release formulations; these immune response triggers will be formulated into controlled release vehicles. We anticipate significant improvements in plant stress management while minimizing downstream pollution.