Natural lipid particle formulations for agricultural applications

An agricultural composition, the composition comprising a mixture of:

• a) a first plurality of NLPs comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a first heterologous functional agent;
• and
• b) a second plurality of NLPs comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a second heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the first plurality of NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core.

An agricultural composition, the composition comprising a mixture of:

• a) a plurality of NLPs comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a first heterologous functional agent;
• and
• b) an unencapsulated second heterologous functional agent,
• wherein the plurality of NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core.

An agricultural composition comprising a plurality of NLPs each comprising a heterologous functional agent, wherein the NLPs are produced by the process of applying energy to a solution comprising:

• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• a heterologous functional agent;
• and
• an aqueous solution;
• wherein the plurality of NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core.

A method of making an agricultural composition comprising a plurality of NLPs each comprising a heterologous functional agent, the method comprising the step of:

• applying energy to a solution comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• a heterologous functional agent;
• and
• an aqueous solution;
• thereby forming the NLPs, wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core.

A method of altering the binding of a heterologous functional agent to at least one component in soil, the method comprising:

• applying to soil an NLP composition comprising a heterologous functional agent encapsulated in the NLP, wherein the NLP comprises:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier;
• wherein the binding of the encapsulated heterologous functional agent to soil is different than the binding of the unencapsulated heterologous functional agent to soil.

A method of altering the mobility of a heterologous functional agent in soil, the method comprising:

• applying to soil an NLP composition comprising a heterologous functional agent encapsulated in the NLP, wherein the NLP comprises:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier;
• wherein the mobility of the encapsulated heterologous functional agent in soil is different than the mobility of the unencapsulated heterologous functional agent in soil.

A method of reducing the viability of a root worm, the method comprising:

• applying to soil infested with root worm an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the heterologous functional agent contacts the root worm, thereby reducing the viability of the root worm.

A method of reducing the viability of a fungus, the method comprising:

• applying to soil comprising a fungus an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the heterologous functional agent contacts the fungus, thereby reducing the viability of the fungus in the soil.

A method of preventing a plant from developing a disease caused by a plant pest, the method comprising:

• applying to soil an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core, and
• wherein the heterologous functional agent contacts the plant pest, thereby killing the pest, thereby preventing the plant from developing a disease.

A method of increasing the uptake of a heterologous functional agent by a plant or plant part, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising a heterologous functional agent encapsulated in a NLP, wherein the NLP comprises:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core, and
• wherein the uptake of the encapsulated heterologous functional agent by the plant or plant part is higher than the uptake of the unencapsulated heterologous functional agent by the plant or plant part.

A method for delivering a heterologous functional agent to a plant or a plant part, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant or plant part with an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core, thereby delivering the heterologous functional agent to the plant.

A method of delivering a heterologous functional agent to the meristem, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant or plant part with a composition comprising a heterologous functional agent encapsulated in a NLP, wherein the NLP comprises:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• and
• at least one surface modifier.

A method of distributing a heterologous functional agent in soil, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant seed with an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core,
• and
• incubating the plant seed in soil, thereby distributing the heterologous functional agent in the soil.

A method of distributing a heterologous functional agent in a plant, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant seed with an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core,
• and
• incubating the plant seed under conditions that cause germination, thereby distributing the heterologous functional agent in the plant.

A method of treating a disease in a plant, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant or plant part with an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core, thereby treating the disease in a plant.

A method of preventing a plant from developing a disease, the method comprising:

• contacting a plant or plant part with an NLP composition comprising:
• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core, thereby preventing a disease in a plant.

A kit comprising an agricultural composition, the composition comprising a plurality of nature-derived lipid particles (NLPs) each comprising:

• at least one phospholipid;
• at least one non-polar lipid;
• at least one surface modifier;
• and
• a heterologous functional agent;
• wherein the NLPs comprise a hydrophobic core.