New nano-pesticide formulation successfully developed by Chinese experts
Chinese experts develop new nano-pesticide formulation
Efficacy and safety significantly improved, pesticide use can be reduced by 30%
As an important agricultural input, almost everyone has heard of pesticides, but have you ever heard of pesticides made with nanotechnology? Recently, a reporter learned from the First International Conference on Nanotechnology and Sustainable Agricultural Technology Development held in Beijing that Chinese agricultural experts have successfully developed a new nano-pesticide formulation. Compared with traditional pesticides, this new pesticide can significantly improve the effectiveness and safety of pesticide use. Once it is promoted and used on a large scale, it can reduce China's current pesticide use by 30%.
Improving effective pesticide utilization rate
"The new nano-pesticide formulation is one of our important research achievements over many years." Cui Haixin, chief scientist of the agricultural nanotechnology innovation team at the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told reporters that this new nano-pesticide formulation includes insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and others. Researchers have made full use of nanotechnology to reduce pesticide particles from the traditional 5 microns to 100 nanometers. The small-size effect can reduce pesticide shedding on leaf surfaces and improve pesticide utilization. At the same time, by using nanomaterials to carry pesticide particles, controlled release of the drug can be achieved through microencapsulation technology according to needs such as the timing characteristics of crop control, and the duration of efficacy can be extended. This can reduce the number of pesticide applications, thereby avoiding food safety problems caused by pesticide abuse.
In addition to improving the effective utilization rate of pesticides and reducing the amount of pesticides used, nanotechnology can also reduce the amount of organic solvents used in pesticide formulations. "Most pesticides are poorly soluble compounds, and carriers, solvents, adjuvants and others usually must be added for formulation processing before they can be diluted with water and sprayed. Nanotechnology can improve the water solubility and dispersibility of poorly soluble drugs and reduce the use of benzene, toluene, xylene and other organic solvents harmful to human health in pesticide formulation ingredients, thereby reducing pollution caused by harmful solvents and adjuvants flowing into the environment." Cui Haixin added in explanation.
Bright application prospects for nano-pesticides
Compared with traditional pesticides, what are the application prospects of nano-pesticides? According to comparative trial data provided by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, under the premise of the same pest and disease control effect, once fully promoted, the use of the new nano-pesticide formulation can reduce pesticide input by more than 30%, eliminate 500,000 tons of "three benzene" solvents each year, greatly reduce pesticide residue pollution, and improve food safety and the ecological environment. It is reported that the agricultural nanotechnology innovation team of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences is currently committed to research on the industrialization development and promotion and application of nano-pesticides.
"China is a major traditional agricultural country. The input of agricultural materials such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides has maintained the sustained and stable growth of China's grain and agricultural product output. However, the long-term inefficient use of traditional pesticides and chemical fertilizers has also caused food safety and ecological environment problems. Nanotechnology has shown good development prospects in alleviating environmental pollution caused by pesticide abuse and pest resistance." Wang Xuejun, deputy director of the Department of Science, Technology and Education of the Ministry of Agriculture, said that at present, China is advancing an action plan for reducing both chemical fertilizers and pesticides, will actively support research and development of agricultural nanotechnology, accelerate the development of efficient and safe new green agricultural chemicals, promote efficient utilization of agricultural resources, improve food safety, and safeguard national health. (According to Farmers' Daily)