Field Deployable Nutrient-Rich Biodegradable Matrix for Crop Protection

Charles Opperman and Julie A. Willoughby of North Carolina State University in the U.S. worked to develop a low-cost biodegradable paper substrate containing nanoparticles for the controlled release of active compounds as a seed treatment against crop-destroying pests. The seeds will be wrapped in the paper during planting. This project's Phase I research tested different types of paper, and banana paper was selected for optimum release of an anthelminthic compound and ability to protect crops without affecting plant growth. They also developed a simple banana pulping method for production in local settings. The Phase II grant (awarded to Charles Opperman) will allow them to extend their results from the Phase I grant (awarded to Julie A. Willoughby) and perform field trials on three crops with smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to determine the effect of their control approach on pest levels and crop yield.