Cellulose-formulated copper nanoparticle bactericide for field crop disease control
Novel bactericide using cellulose fiber as a carrier for copper nanoparticles, designed to control bacterial diseases in field crops like wheat. The cellulose-copper complex offers extended efficacy and strong leaf adhesion, potentially reducing the need for multiple applications per growing season, lowering costs and environmental impact for large-acreage crops.
Overview
This research proposes a novel bactericide formulation that uses cellulose fiber as a carrier for copper nanoparticles to control bacterial diseases in field crops. Traditional copper-based bactericides require multiple applications per growing season, which is impractical, cost-prohibitive, and environmentally unsound for large-acreage field crops. The cellulose-copper nanoparticle complex is designed to provide higher and extended efficacy with stronger adhesion to leaf surfaces, potentially requiring only a single application per growth season. This addresses pressing agricultural challenges such as wheat bacterial leaf streak and could extend to other field crop diseases such as corn Goss's wilt and leaf blight.
Technical specifications
- Cellulose fiber carrier system: Cellulose fibers serve as an efficient chemical carrier for copper nanoparticles, enabling a novel bactericide formulation
- Conjugation process: Successful conjugation of cellulose fiber with copper and silver nanoparticles has been demonstrated
- Enhanced leaf adhesion: The conjugated compounds show improved ability to adhere to wheat leaf surfaces compared to traditional copper-based bactericides
- Extended efficacy: Designed to provide longer-lasting protection, potentially reducing the number of applications needed per growing season
- Dual-metal potential: Both copper and silver nanoparticle complexes are being explored for disease control applications
Technology readiness level
The technology has completed initial laboratory validation, with demonstrated successful conjugation of cellulose fibers with copper and silver nanoparticles and confirmed improved leaf surface adhesion on wheat. Future validation will include greenhouse and field trials to evaluate efficacy in controlling wheat bacterial leaf streak, with plans to extend testing to corn Goss's wilt and leaf blight if initial results are successful. The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development, moving from laboratory proof-of-concept toward applied field validation.
About North Dakota State University (NDSU)
North Dakota State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university (R1) in Fargo with a pragmatic, industry‑engaged culture. Companies engage through an adjacent research and technology park offering incubator space and prototyping resources, and shared high‑performance computing supports data‑intensive work. Pilot‑scale processing facilities and co‑located labs in the Peltier Complex and the campus pilot plant help de‑risk scale‑up and validate manufacturing processes. A statewide Extension network provides access to field sites, stakeholders, and dissemination channels for real‑world testing and deployment. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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