Dual-action botanical nano-gel for integrated pre-harvest pest control and post-harvest shelf-life extension

his invention presents a dual-action botanical nano-gel designed for integrated horticultural protection and post-harvest preservation. It combines Withania somnifera and Rhynchosia stricta extracts encapsulated in a biopolymer-based nano-gel (chitosan/alginate system via ionic gelation), enabling controlled release of bioactive compounds. The innovation addresses a critical gap in current agro-inputs by simultaneously providing pre-harvest pest suppression (aphids, whiteflies, thrips) and post-harvest shelf-life extension, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and chemical coatings. Mechanistically, nano-encapsulation enhances stability, adhesion, and bioavailability of plant metabolites, improving field persistence and post-harvest performance.

Preliminary laboratory validation (completely randomized design, n = 3 replicates per treatment) shows ~72–78% mortality of target sucking pests under controlled conditions, while post-harvest fruit coating trials (n = 30 fruits per treatment) demonstrated 7–10 days extension in shelf-life, along with ~25–35% reduction in weight loss and visible decay incidence compared to untreated controls. Formulation characterization includes particle size analysis (DLS), zeta potential stability, and encapsulation efficiency profiling, confirming nanoscale delivery and sustained release behavior. Ongoing validation includes greenhouse and field trials in Southern Punjab (Dera Ghazi Khan–Rajanpur agro-ecological zone) using a randomized complete block design (3 crops, 3 treatments, n = 30 plants per plot), with statistical evaluation via ANOVA. Next steps involve pilot-scale production (50–100 L batches), 3-month ambient stability testing, and multi-location field validation, positioning the technology for co-development, scale-up, and commercialization partnership with Bayer in integrated crop protection systems.