VATIS UPDATE Article

Scientists from the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, have found a nano-sized degradable clay that could serve as an alternative to chemicals and pesticides, effectively protecting plants from specific disease-causing pathogens. “BioClay – an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemicals and pesticides – could be a game-changer for crop protection,” said Neena Mitter at UQ. The study was recently published in Nature Plants.

“In agriculture, the need for new control agents grows each year, driven by demand for greater production, the effects of climate change, community and regulatory demands and toxicity and pesticide resistance. Our disruptive research involves a spray of nano-sized degradable clay used to release double-stranded RNA that protects plants from specific disease-causing pathogens,” said Mitter.

Mitter further stated that the technology reduced the use of pesticides without altering the genome of the plants. Once BioClay is applied, the plant ‘thinks’ it is being attacked by a disease or pest insect and responds by protecting itself from the targeted pest or disease. A single spray of BioClay protects the plant and then degrades, reducing the risk to the environment or human health. Mitter further said BioClay met consumer demands for sustainable crop protection and residue-free produce.