Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AGRO4AGRI (FOSTERING THE ADVANCED USE OF AGROCHEMICALS FOR A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-05-01 al 2025-10-31
Fertilisers, biostimulants and pesticides are vital input materials for crop production, but conventional agrochemicals have low bioavailability and low precision, leading to overuse of these products and causing significant economic losses and negative impacts on the environment and on human safety. In this context, AGRO4AGRI’s objective is to develop and demonstrate SSbD agrochemical solutions for plant nutrition and protection, in particular, nano and biobased controlled delivery fertilisers and plant biostimulants for enhanced nutrient use efficiency, as well as target-specific biopesticides based on RNAi technology.
AGRO4AGRI's specific objectives include the development of advanced delivery systems of fertilisers based on inorganic and organic nanoparticles, as well as target-specific nematicides based on microencapsulated dsRNA. These solutions will be developed under the SSbD framework and their efficacy will be demonstrated in real life case studies (TRL5-6). Additionally, the commercial viability of the product prototypes will be demontrated, aiming to stimulate investment for the long-term growth of project.
AGRO4AGRI's main expected impacts are:
- Increasing the release time of fertilisers by developing slow and controlled delivery systems with a slow-release of nutrients up to 30 days, leading to a reduction in the use of nutrient equivalents, application cycles and agrochemicals run off in to the soil and groundwater.
- Reduce the fertilizer equivalent inputs by 40%: 20% by delivery systems and 20% by reduction from Plant Biostimulants compared with conventional treatments without affecting crop yields and quality.
- Reduce nitrogen losses (and emissions) as well as the use of water during fertiliser production, through the application of nanofertilisers and slow delivery systems in compbination with plant biostimulants. It is expected to achieve an increase in Nitrogen Use Efficiency of >20%.
- Achieve more environmentally friendly, safe and sustainable agricultural practices against pests by developing species-specific RNA interference as a pest control agent. It is expected to achieve a reduction of at least 50% of the target pathogen in field trials.
This project integrates social sciences and humanities to examine how technological innovation in sustainable agrochemicals can be made more socially responsible and better aligned with public values. The activities carried aim to help AGRO4AGRI researchers reflect on the ethical, social and environmental dimension of their work.
AGRO4AGRI's specific objectives include the development of advanced delivery systems of fertilisers based on inorganic and organic nanoparticles, as well as target-specific nematicides based on microencapsulated dsRNA. These solutions will be developed under the SSbD framework and their efficacy will be demonstrated in real life case studies (TRL5-6). Additionally, the commercial viability of the product prototypes will be demontrated, aiming to stimulate investment for the long-term growth of project.
AGRO4AGRI's main expected impacts are:
- Increasing the release time of fertilisers by developing slow and controlled delivery systems with a slow-release of nutrients up to 30 days, leading to a reduction in the use of nutrient equivalents, application cycles and agrochemicals run off in to the soil and groundwater.
- Reduce the fertilizer equivalent inputs by 40%: 20% by delivery systems and 20% by reduction from Plant Biostimulants compared with conventional treatments without affecting crop yields and quality.
- Reduce nitrogen losses (and emissions) as well as the use of water during fertiliser production, through the application of nanofertilisers and slow delivery systems in compbination with plant biostimulants. It is expected to achieve an increase in Nitrogen Use Efficiency of >20%.
- Achieve more environmentally friendly, safe and sustainable agricultural practices against pests by developing species-specific RNA interference as a pest control agent. It is expected to achieve a reduction of at least 50% of the target pathogen in field trials.
This project integrates social sciences and humanities to examine how technological innovation in sustainable agrochemicals can be made more socially responsible and better aligned with public values. The activities carried aim to help AGRO4AGRI researchers reflect on the ethical, social and environmental dimension of their work.
During the first reporting period, the following achievements for the technical/scientific WPs have been reached:
WP2 (SSbD). The EU regulatory framework and the market uptake barriers for agrochemical products have been analysed, and the SSbD framework has been applied to assess and guide the development of innovative agrochemical products. A framework to understand and enhance the societal readiness, ethical reflection, and social acceptance of new agrochemical technologies has been developed.
WP3 (advanced delivery systems). Advanced delivery systems based on inorganic (nanoclays and silica nanoparticles) and organic (biochar and nanocellulose) nanocarriers have been developed and characterized, including their adsorption and desorption ratios and their stability, and their increased release time for fertilisers (phosphate, potassium and nitrogen).
WP4 (RNAi-based nematicides). Four genes have been selected as promising targets for the development of an RNAi-based nematicide that is specific against Meloidogyne incognita, leading to up to 100% reduction in nematode infestation in lab-scale trials. The production of the corresponding dsRNA is being optimized and scaled, and three different dsRNA microencapsulation technologies are being tested.
WP7 (environmental, safety and socio-economic assessment). Hazard assessment of the chemicals and materials is being performed. An environmental sustainability framework based on LCA has been established. Socio-economic aspects related to sustainable agricultural practices, including social acceptance, have been addressed using systematic literature analysis, stakeholder interviews and other engagement activities.
WP2 (SSbD). The EU regulatory framework and the market uptake barriers for agrochemical products have been analysed, and the SSbD framework has been applied to assess and guide the development of innovative agrochemical products. A framework to understand and enhance the societal readiness, ethical reflection, and social acceptance of new agrochemical technologies has been developed.
WP3 (advanced delivery systems). Advanced delivery systems based on inorganic (nanoclays and silica nanoparticles) and organic (biochar and nanocellulose) nanocarriers have been developed and characterized, including their adsorption and desorption ratios and their stability, and their increased release time for fertilisers (phosphate, potassium and nitrogen).
WP4 (RNAi-based nematicides). Four genes have been selected as promising targets for the development of an RNAi-based nematicide that is specific against Meloidogyne incognita, leading to up to 100% reduction in nematode infestation in lab-scale trials. The production of the corresponding dsRNA is being optimized and scaled, and three different dsRNA microencapsulation technologies are being tested.
WP7 (environmental, safety and socio-economic assessment). Hazard assessment of the chemicals and materials is being performed. An environmental sustainability framework based on LCA has been established. Socio-economic aspects related to sustainable agricultural practices, including social acceptance, have been addressed using systematic literature analysis, stakeholder interviews and other engagement activities.
During the first reporting period, the focus has been placed on the technical development of the novel agrochemical solutions: controlled and slow-release fertilisers, and target-specific nematicides. The development of these solutions will be finalised in the upcoming months, and the formulation activities and field trials will begin during RP2. These activities will be key to ensure further market uptake and success of the project, together with other activities that are being carried out such as an iterative approach based on SSbD, stakeholder engagement strategies, KER and IP monitoring, dissemination & communication activites, and the development of business models and a social and economic impact assessment.
Regarding the current results, several of the proposed KPIs have been reached, achieving values that go beyond the state of the art. For delivery systems, the adsorption ratios of active substances by inorganic nanoparticles have been of 58-95% wt% (KPI >50 wt.%), with desoprtion ratios reaching 80-98% for inorganic nanocarriers (target KPI >90%) and 76-100% for organic nanocarriers (target KPI >90%). The water retention capability of nanocellulose achieved has been of >9000% (target KPI >800%). For the nematicide development, lab-scale tests with naked dsRNA have led to to 87-100% reduction in nematode populations (target KPI >70% using encapuslated dsRNA), whereas the content of dsRNA in the delivery systems achieved has been of 37.5 % using DNA (target KPI >30% using dsRNA).
Further research in the upcoming months will be essential to reach the proposed KPI for release time and nanocarrier stability. Additional tests using naked and encapsulated dsRNA will allow to establish the minimal dosage needed to achieve a nematicide effect for the target nematode.
Regarding the current results, several of the proposed KPIs have been reached, achieving values that go beyond the state of the art. For delivery systems, the adsorption ratios of active substances by inorganic nanoparticles have been of 58-95% wt% (KPI >50 wt.%), with desoprtion ratios reaching 80-98% for inorganic nanocarriers (target KPI >90%) and 76-100% for organic nanocarriers (target KPI >90%). The water retention capability of nanocellulose achieved has been of >9000% (target KPI >800%). For the nematicide development, lab-scale tests with naked dsRNA have led to to 87-100% reduction in nematode populations (target KPI >70% using encapuslated dsRNA), whereas the content of dsRNA in the delivery systems achieved has been of 37.5 % using DNA (target KPI >30% using dsRNA).
Further research in the upcoming months will be essential to reach the proposed KPI for release time and nanocarrier stability. Additional tests using naked and encapsulated dsRNA will allow to establish the minimal dosage needed to achieve a nematicide effect for the target nematode.