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.
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