Available technologies
BenPol – targeted crop protection from chewing insects
Team
Life Science
Industry
Agriculture & Rural Development
Sector
Plants & Crops
Widespread insecticide use has led to increased resistance developed by pests leading to proliferation of major pests, increased crop losses, subsequent increased insecticide use and a greater risk to humans and ecosystems. Therefore, there is a need to develop innovations such as exogenous crop protectants that are effective and environmentally friendly.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a BENtonite POLymer formulation that when loaded with dsRNA payloads is easily sprayed onto crop leaf surfaces.
Key features
- High specificity to targeted chewing pests including Earworm.
- No known negative impacts on the environment or beneficial fauna.
- Protects dsRNA payloads from environmental degradation.
