Inert dust and plant powders as natural alternatives to chemical insecticides
A sustainable pest control solution using Slovenian-origin inert dusts (zeolites, wood ash) and plant powders from invasive species to combat storage beetles and crop pests. Offers an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic insecticides for vegetables, field crops, and stored grain, reducing chemical residues while effectively managing insects such as Sitophilus species.
Overview
This research develops natural, non-chemical pest control methods using inert dusts and plant-based powders sourced from Slovenia. The approach targets both storage pests (such as the maize weevil and other Sitophilus species) and field crop pests affecting potatoes, wheat, cabbage, and onion. By leveraging locally available materials—including natural Slovenian zeolite and wood ash from Norway spruce—the solution provides an environmentally responsible alternative to synthetic insecticides. Plant powders are derived from aboveground parts of non-native invasive plant species collected in the Ljubljana area at three developmental stages, adding an ecological benefit by repurposing invasive biomass.
Technical specifications
- Inert dusts of Slovenian origin, including natural zeolite and Norway spruce wood ash, with demonstrated insecticidal activity against storage beetles
- Plant powders prepared from non-native invasive species collected at three developmental stages for variable potency profiles
- Target pests include Sitophilus species in stored grain and insect pests affecting cultivated vegetables and field crops
- Experimental design uses three randomized blocks per treatment to ensure statistical reliability
- Testing environments include controlled growing chambers at the Laboratory of Entomology (Department of Agronomy) and field conditions at the Laboratory Field
- Survey scope spans multiple crops and harmful organisms to validate broad-spectrum efficacy
Technology readiness level
The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Preliminary research has already confirmed the insecticidal effectiveness of Slovenian zeolite and Norway spruce wood ash against storage beetles. Ongoing and planned validation includes controlled laboratory experiments and field trials across multiple crops and pest species. Further steps toward commercialization will require expanded field validation, formulation optimization, and regulatory assessment for use as a plant protection product.
About University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana is a comprehensive public research university and Slovenia’s largest, anchored in the capital with extensive faculty laboratories and clinical, cultural, and technical assets. Companies engage through a central Knowledge Transfer Office that brokers collaborative R&D, IP licensing, and spin‑out pathways, complemented by the Ljubljana University Incubator for venture creation; the city’s technology park adds a dense startup and scale‑up community. Clinical translation benefits from integration with the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, enabling access to hospital‑based research and patient cohorts. Research is supported by competitive European programs and Slovenia’s national research and innovation agency (ARIS). Clearly defined commercialization routes—technology offers, industry matchmaking, and spin‑outs—help partners move from proof‑of‑concept to market.
delivered to your inbox.