Microgels: validation of the anti-X. citri activity, toxicity, plant protection ability, and plant fixation

• Grant number: 23/14687-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Agreement: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
• Principal Investigator: Henrique Ferreira
• Grantee: Rayane Monique Sete da Cruz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10839-4 - Sustainable citriculture through controlled release of antibacterial compounds from microgel-based formulations, AP.TEM

Abstract

There is a clear need for sustainable methods to combat agricultural pests. Copper salts are widely used in regular agriculture, but also in organic agriculture. One agricultural area where copper salts are used widely is citriculture, to combat citrus canker, a disease caused by the plant pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. The disease is endemic in all major orange producing regions in the world, except Europe. Citriculture generates US$2 billion/year in export revenues in Brazil indicating the size and importance of this industry. This project is aimed at the development of a bio-based, sustainable technology for the protection of citrus trees, as an alternative to copper. Specifically, we will focus on the fabrication of stimuli-responsive microgels that are capable of 1) strong attachment to citrus leaves and 2) controlled release of antibacterial compounds. In collaboration with our societal partner in Brazil, the efficacy of the protection system will be tested in the field.