Chinese researchers have developed a nanomaterial capable of controlling wheat powdery mildew.

Release Date:

2018-10-30

Wheat powdery mildew is a worldwide crop disease that is widespread across China’s major wheat-producing regions. Recently, the research group led by Wu Lifang at the Institute of Technical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed an efficient protective agent for controlling wheat powdery mildew—using natural nanomaterials as the primary raw material—that can serve as an alternative to chemical pesticides. This breakthrough was recently reported in the leading international journal in the field of mineralogy, Applied Clay Science. Powdery mildew infects wheat leaves and leaf sheaths, resulting in yield reductions and economic losses. Current conventional control strategies involve spraying chemical pesticides and cultivating resistant wheat varieties; however, both approaches face certain practical limitations. For instance, pathogenic fungi can develop resistance to commonly used fungicides.

　　 Wheat Powdery mildew is a worldwide crop disease that is widespread in China’s major wheat-producing regions. Recently, the research group led by Wu Lifang at the Institute of Technical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed an efficient, chemically‑substitutable formulation using natural nanomaterials as the primary raw material. Pesticide of the Wheat A powdery mildew protective agent. The internationally renowned core academic journal in the field of mineralogy, Applied Clay Science, recently reported this achievement.
　　Powdery mildew can infect Wheat The leaves and leaf sheaths, among other parts, suffer damage, leading to reduced yields and economic losses. Currently, the standard method of control involves foliar spraying. Pesticide While breeding disease-resistant varieties is an approach, both methods face certain practical limitations. For instance, pathogenic microorganisms can develop resistance to commonly used chemicals, and chemical… Pesticide Its use can easily lead to pollution and resistance to disease. Wheat Varieties also tend to lose resistance after being used for a period of time.
　　Recently, Researcher Wu Lifang’s team chemically modified the natural nanomaterial attapulgite to prepare a material that can… Wheat A novel nanomaterial that forms a “nanogrid” on the leaf surface. This material can efficiently isolate… Wheat Powdery mildew spores, thereby significantly inhibiting Wheat Germination and growth of powdery mildew spores.
　　According to reports, this technology is conducive to improving… Wheat Quality, reduced chemicals Pesticide Its use is of great significance and offers additional advantages such as low cost and ease of application, giving it promising prospects for practical implementation.