New Pest Control Tools Aim to Save Crops and Cut Chemical Use
A team of Canadian researchers is using nanotechnology to create advanced pest control tools that can increase farm yields and protect the environment. Plant eating pests currently destroy up to 40 percent of global pre harvest crops each year, costing farmers billions.
At Agriculture and Agri Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Dr. Justin Pahara and his team are developing new screening methods to measure how effective current treatments are. Their ultimate goal is to use nanotechnology to deliver special chemicals into harmful pests based on their unique DNA, leaving helpful insects like pollinators and natural predators unharmed.
Using facilities at the Canadian Light Source in Saskatchewan, the researchers discovered mineral rich areas in common pests such as lygus bugs. These findings could allow scientists to design treatments that target proteins within these pests to stop them from damaging crops such as canola.
The team also built software that turns insect X ray images into 3D virtual models, helping scientists see exactly where nanomaterials travel inside insect bodies. This deeper understanding will guide the creation of precise treatments and reduce the need for traditional chemical pesticides.