Project description
Validating the sustainability of copper nanoparticle sprays in agriculture
New research in nano-agrochemicals suggests that applying copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) directly to the leaves (foliar spraying) of wheat crops could resolve copper deficiency in wheat, combat common plant diseases and reduce the volume of copper pollutants. However, the potential environmental consequences of CuNPs must be fully understood before they can be put into use. The EU-funded SafeCEREAL project aims to assess the environmental hazards and agricultural benefits of CuNPs in wheat crops. It will examine the response of wheat after foliar application of CuNPs and conduct risk assessment of soils and groundwater through practical simulations. Validation of CuNPs will lead to greatly improved cereal crop yields and quality.
Objective
The most recent scientific investigations in the field of sustainable nano-agrochemicals show that foliar application of copper
nanoparticles (CuNPs) to plant leaves can be new strategy to reduce Cu deficiency in wheat, decrease Cu bulk emissions to
the environment and reduce diseases (e.g. wheat leaf rust, tan spot, and Fusarium head blight) that are heavily affecting
wheat production sector in the EU and globally. Therefore, resolving the environmental fate of CuNPs after foliar application
will be an important step for their practical use. The goal of this Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship and SafeCEREAL
project is to allow reliable assessment of environmental risks and benefits of using CuNPs in agriculture. Major research
targets are to investigate the complex interactions between CuNPs and wheat after foliar application (WP1), gain further
knowledge of the possible CuNPs’ interaction with soils under more realistic scenarios (WP2), and perform risk assessment
of CuNPs’ release to groundwater by reproducing environmentally relevant release scenarios (WP3). The achievement of
these goals requires a multidisciplinary approach including environmental nanotechnology and chemistry, plant physiology
and applied geophysics – all of which are part of the research conducted at the University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences,
Serbia, who will readily engage all its resources and mobilize its international partnerships. This fellowship will involve
carefully planned public outreach activities and focus on a wide range of transferable and technical skills that will strengthen
the Applicant, the Host, and the scientific community in the European Research Area and globally. Importantly, this project
will lead to greater professional maturity of the Applicant by providing her the interdisciplinary expertise to design, lead and
deliver future research projects; and identifying her as leading young scientist in the new area of research focused on
realistic scenarios.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
21000 Novi Sad
Serbia