Novel nanoparticle-based fungicides to control Fusarium infestations
Cornell University researchers are developing nanoparticle-based fungicide formulations combining metal salts for synergistic, multisite activity against Fusarium oxysporum. This approach aims to deliver more effective, lower-dose disease control for crop protection applications in agriculture.
Overview
Fusarium oxysporum is a soilborne fungal pathogen that causes significant crop losses across many agricultural systems. This project develops novel nanoparticle-based fungicide formulations that combine metal salts to achieve synergistic, multisite antimicrobial activity against the pathogen. By leveraging nanotechnology and combination chemistry, the research aims to produce more effective disease control at lower active ingredient concentrations than conventional single-component or macroscale fungicides.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Combinations of metal salt nanoparticles tested for synergistic fungicidal activity against Fusarium oxysporum
- Multisite mode-of-action designed to reduce pathogen resistance development compared with single-target fungicides
- In vitro assays used to screen nanoparticle combinations for efficacy and phytotoxicity
- High performance liquid chromatography used to characterize systemic movement of nano formulations within plant tissues
- Multi-omic approaches applied to identify the genetic response of F. oxysporum to the novel formulation and confirm mode-of-action
- Builds on prior evidence that nano MgO outperforms macroscale MgO against soilborne fungal phytopathogens and that multi-ingredient formulations outperform single-ingredient formulations
Technology readiness level
The research is at an early-to-mid stage of development. The team has already validated the synergistic, multisite behavior of combined active ingredients at the macroscale using high-throughput functional genomic tools. The current and proposed work extends these findings to nanoparticle formulations through three objectives: identifying effective nanoparticle combinations, characterizing systemic transport within plants, and determining mode-of-action via multi-omic analysis. Further optimization, formulation development, and field validation would be required before commercial deployment.
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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