Attractant and repellent-based control of phytophthora zoospore spread
A pesticide-free approach to managing phytophthora pathogens by using plant-derived chemical signals to attract or repel zoospores and trigger encystment. Validated in microfluidic and olfactometer bioassays, with next-step microcosm efficacy testing planned.
Overview
This solution targets the spread of Phytophthora zoospores, the motile infectious agents responsible for devastating crop and ornamental plant diseases. The approach replaces conventional pesticide-based control with an intelligent, signal-based strategy that exploits the natural ability of zoospores to detect and respond to specific belowground chemical cues released by plants. By deploying attractants to lure zoospores away from host roots and repellents or encystment triggers to neutralize them, the technology offers a targeted, non-chemical pathway to reduce Phytophthora infection pressure in agricultural and horticultural systems.
Technical specifications
Core discovery and mechanism:
- Phytophthora zoospores, despite being single-celled, exhibit intelligent chemotactic behavior, moving toward or away from specific plant volatile signals over distances of 23 cm in under one hour
- Chemical factors have been identified that not only direct zoospore movement but also trigger encystment, converting motile infectious cells into inactive forms
Validation methods used to date:
- Two-choice and no-choice bioassays conducted in microfluidic chips
- Sand column olfactometer experiments to measure directed movement
- Identification of specific signal molecules that recruit or repel zoospores
Planned next-stage validation:
- Microcosm studies to evaluate infection reduction under more realistic conditions
- Movement analysis over longer distances
- Encystment and infection studies using GFP- and RFP-labeled zoospores for visual tracking
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. Core biological mechanisms have been validated in controlled laboratory bioassays using microfluidic chips and sand column olfactometers, confirming that zoospores respond predictably to specific attractant and repellent signals. The next critical step is microcosm-level validation to demonstrate efficacy in reducing Phytophthora infection under soil-like conditions. Commercial translation will require further efficacy testing, formulation development for field delivery of signal molecules, and engagement with industry partners to align the approach with real-world pathogen management challenges.
About Cornell University
Cornell University is a comprehensive private, land-grant research university with campuses in Ithaca and New York City, combining significant scale with cross-disciplinary breadth. Industry connects through open-access user facilities and prototyping labs, pilot-scale testbeds, and a research and technology park that provide pathways from discovery to demonstration. A statewide extension network and integration with a major hospital system enable real-world deployment, while a graduate campus embedded in New York City’s tech corridor provides direct access to startups, venture investors, and corporate R&D teams. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP management, licensing, startup formation, and corporate partnerships across campuses.
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