Chile is recognized worldwide for its role in fruit growing, leading the production and export of more than 50 fruit species. At the national level, it is the second export sector after copper, contributing 39.2% to the sectoral GDP and 34% to forestry and agricultural exports. And in the face of a growing world population, it is projected that the demand for vegetables and fruits will increase by more than 50%, making it necessary to increase national productivity to maintain the competitiveness of our country.
To meet these expectations, we need more intensive production systems, but excess fertilizers and aggressive pruning increase the susceptibility of crops to diseases (fungi) and consequently decrease their yield. That is why it is necessary to develop sustainable agriculture, which allows pests to be controlled without causing harm to products, the environment, or human health.
Currently, biopesticides and biofungicides formulated with natural, biodegradable and less harmful products are used as treatments. However, exposure of these compounds to temperature, humidity or ultraviolet light degrades them and forces them to be applied more frequently, affecting effectiveness, toxicity and increasing costs, which produces resistance to their use by producers.
If we add to that its hydrophobic nature, its use also means greater volumes of organic solvents for its spraying, decreasing its eco-friendly characteristics. A potential answer to this dilemma is developed by CEDENNA-Usach researchers, who propose incorporating biofungicides in nanoparticles that are also of plant origin, which protects the fungicides, increases their effectiveness and reduces their toxicity, helping to treat diseases. produced by fungi in fruit trees and grapevines.
To achieve these objectives, the researchers from the team led by Dr. Luis Constandil, CEDENNA researcher, and the doctoral candidate Natalia Juica, belonging to the doctorate in biotechnology, from the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology of the USACH, applied and were awarded the IdeA R&D 2024 Competition awarded by the National Research and Development Agency (ANID), together with the company ANASAC. These funds will allow the development of nanoparticles from natural polymers loaded with antifungal agents of botanical origin to prevent damage caused by wood fungi in fruit trees and vineyards.
The application of these biodegradable nanoparticles would provide relevant benefits for producers, such as the protection of the active compound against environmental factors, increasing its availability. In addition, it would allow a sustained release over time, reducing the recurrence of its application. Logically, the main beneficiaries will be farmers and exporters and consumers, but greater security is also granted to agricultural workers.
Additionally, university-business collaboration will be encouraged and will contribute to the formation of human capital by including young thesis students and researchers in the development of these “nanobiofungicides.”
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