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Crop proteCtioN

Nano approach to plant feed

Improving crop productivity, farm profitability and sustainability

Nano approach to plant feed will im- and horticulture sectors. Science and Technology.
prove crop productivity, farm profitabil- It is thought to be the first time com- He said: “Our technology can help drive
ity and sustainability mercially accessible plant biostimulant agricultural productivity and resilience
Cutting-edge nanotechnology will has been produced using bespoke nan- by accelerating crop growth and yield,
drive a new generation of fertilisers otechnology that has the capacity to cor- strengthening plant defences against
aimed at addressing UK food security by rect trace mineral deficiencies as a way environmental pressures, and reducing
improving the nutritional value, perfor- of improving both crop productivity and vulnerability to pests.
mance and health of crops and plants. nutrition. “This precision-targeted approach to
Scientists at Nottingham Trent Univer- The project will also address two major nutrient delivery will ensure controlled
sity are working with the company Micro- environmental challenges in modern ag- release directly to plant roots, optimis-
mix Plant Health as part of the three-year riculture by minimising fertiliser waste ing absorption while preventing excess
knowledge transfer partnership, being and reducing environmental runoff con- leaching into ecosystems.
funded by Innovate UK. taining possible pollutants. “The result is healthier soil, reduced
It will involve incorporating nanotech- In turn this will also help improve the environmental impact and a shift towards
nology-enhanced formulations to plant farmers’ profitability with a reduced more sustainable farming practices.”
feed, allowing targeted and increased cost of treatment to achieve the yield in- Tom Mawhood, Director of Micromix
absorption of essential nutrients directly creases required to maintain commercial Plant Health, said: “We are excited to
into plant roots and through the leaves. viability. commence work with Gareth and his
This ‘precision agriculture’ approach is Nano-minerals will be synthesized and team both to develop new products but
expected to result in increased yields, re- new fortified plant feed will be formu- also to improve the effectiveness of our
duced harvest times, and prevent against lated in both powder and liquid form be- existing products.
pests, as well as reducing reliance on fore a series of plant performance trials “Farmers face considerable financial
imported chemicals often used in less ef- across the UK. and practical challenges and we antici-
fective traditional fertilisers. “This work will tackle general ineffi- pate that these enhanced nano-products
The work will involve embedding ad- ciencies inherent in traditional fertilisers will materially improve quality, yield and
vanced nanotechnology expertise ini- and will benefit both farmers and gar- profitability.
tially developed at Nottingham Trent Uni- deners,” said principal investigator Ga- “There are already some interesting
versity for the pharmaceutical industry reth Cave, Professor in Advanced nano- developments we are pursuing for each
into commercially viable plant feed and technology and sustainable chemistry in of cereal crops, oilseeds, potatoes and
will benefit UK commercial agriculture Nottingham Trent University’s School of sugar beet.” Circle 14 on enquiry card
12 Vol. 41 No. 7