Nanotechnology system for agricultural applications
AssigneeNorth Carolina State University
InventorsSteven A. Lommel, Julie A. Willoughby, Richard Guenther
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Abstract
A first aspect of the invention is an agricultural composition comprising nanoparticles, an agrochemical active ingredient in the nanoparticles, and optionally (but in some embodiments preferably) a carrier for the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are viral particles or capsids, particularly plant viral particles or capsids. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises an inert or biodegradable carrier (e.g., a solid carrier) to which the nanoparticles are bound or in which the nanoparticles are suspended. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises inert or biodegradable polymer fibers.
Claims20
A method of reducing nematode parasitism and nematode damage in a plant, comprising applying an agricultural composition to a seed or a root of the plant in a treatment effective amount, the agricultural composition comprising:
- hollow nanoparticles having a core and an encapsulating coat or shell, wherein said hollow nanoparticles are nonpathogenic plant virus particles;
- a carrier comprising inert or biodegradable polymer fibers to which said nanoparticles are covalently coupled to an outer surface of the inert or biodegradable polymer fibers, wherein the inert or biodegradable polymer fibers are woven or nonwoven and comprise a biodegradable polymer selected from a cellulose, cotton, wood chips, wood pulp, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydrophobically modified cellulose, methylcellulose, lignin-sulphite waste liquors, and any combination thereof;
- and
- a nematicidal active ingredient in the core of said hollow nanoparticles.
A method of reducing nematode parasitism and nematode damage in a plant, comprising applying an agricultural composition to a seed or a root of the plant in a treatment effective amount, the agricultural composition comprising:
- hollow nanoparticles having a core and an encapsulating coat or shell, wherein said hollow nanoparticles are viral nanoparticles that are selected from the group consisting of Tombusviridae, Comaviridae, and Bromoviridae virus particles;
- a carrier comprising inert or biodegradable polymer fibers to which said nanoparticles are covalently coupled to an outer surface of the inert or biodegradable polymer fibers, wherein the inert or biodegradable polymer fibers are woven or nonwoven and comprise a biodegradable polymer selected from a cellulose, cotton, wood chips, wood pulp, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydrophobically modified cellulose, methylcellulose, lignin-sulphite waste liquors, and any combination thereof;
- and
- a nematicidal active ingredient in the core of said hollow nanoparticles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.