| Project Detail |
In modern agriculture, the extensive use of traditional pesticides requires a reevaluation to address the dual challenge of increasing food demand and sustainability. Historically, copper-based fungicides have been crucial in pest management, aiding farmers in the control of fungal or bacterial diseases across a wide range of crops. Additionally, evolving EU regulations are imposing stricter limits on copper-based pesticides use, driven by health and environmental concerns linked to Cu accumulation and in line with the European Green Deal aim of reducing pesticide usage by 50% by 2030. This presents a significant challenge to farmers who must simultaneously manage pests and respect restrictions, especially in vulnerable regions and crops. Currently, few viable alternatives for reformulating Cu-based pesticides are available.
ECOFUN proposes a new material based on bioinspired and biocompatible nanoparticles engineered to incorporate copper, with the aim to deliver a more efficient and sustainable fungicide. Moreover, ECOFUN will comprehensively address the efficacy, efficiency, and toxicity of the material through in vitro and in vivo experiments, including field tests. The overarching goal is to reduce copper concentration by a minimum of 50% compared to commercial counterparts. The objectives include the synthesis of the new material and its comprehensive characterization, encompassing the study of Cu release in water, soil, and foliar adherence. Fungicidal activity will be assessed in vitro against three different fungi commonly treated with copper-based fungicides, alongside with cytotoxicity evaluations on target cells. Subsequently, in vivo experiments in field and under controlled conditions, will be performed to validate product efficiency and will involve measuring residue levels in fruits and soil and impacts on harvest. This proposal enables the development of a novel pesticide class using the same technology, owing to the broad-spectrum action of copper. |
