Fungicide transport modeling through plant cuticles
Innovative modeling of lipophilic fungicide deposition and transport through plant cuticles using advanced imaging and analytical techniques, offering insights into pesticide efficacy and environmental interactions.
Overview
This research focuses on the experimental analysis and modeling of lipophilic fungicide transport through plant cuticles. The study aims to understand how fungicides deposit and diffuse through the cuticle layer, using a convective–diffusion model corrected for intermolecular forces. The research investigates the role of cuticle heterogeneities and the impact of microenvironments on fungicide deposition and diffusion, providing valuable insights into improving pesticide efficacy and environmental safety.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes fluorescent and magnetic tagging for three-dimensional mapping of fungicide transport.
- Employs advanced imaging techniques such as confocal microscopy, MRI, AFM-IR, SEM, and TEM to visualize and analyze fungicide distribution and interactions within plant cuticles.
- Develops interfacial transport models incorporating droplet deformation, van der Waals forces, and cuticular diffusion.
- Integrates analytical methods like mass spectrometry to quantify chemical layers in plant tissues.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in a laboratory environment. Future validation plans include controlled greenhouse and field trials to further test and refine the models and techniques under real-world conditions.
About Texas A&M University, College Station
Texas A&M University in College Station is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship of The Texas A&M University System, combining broad academic strengths with a strong applied‑research culture. Industry collaborates on the Texas A&M‑RELLIS campus—an integrated education, research and testing environment that supports large‑scale experimentation and proving grounds—and through the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s facilities in Bryan‑College Station. A statewide extension network connects university expertise to companies and communities across all Texas counties, enabling rapid piloting and deployment. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA and DoD, alongside state and industry sponsorship. Texas A&M Innovation provides IP management, licensing and commercialization pathways across the system.
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