Nanotechnology system for agricultural applications

Abstract

A first aspect of the invention is an agricultural composition comprising nanoparticles, an agrochemical active ingredient in the nanoparticles, and optionally (but in some embodiments preferably) a carrier for the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are viral particles or capsids, particularly plant viral particles or capsids. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises an inert or biodegradable carrier (e.g., a solid carrier) to which the nanoparticles are bound or in which the nanoparticles are suspended. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises inert or biodegradable polymer fibers.

1 . An agricultural composition comprising:
 hollow nanoparticles having an encapsulating coat or shell comprising a biodegradable polymer;   a carrier comprising inert or biodegradable, woven or nonwoven fibers to which said nanoparticles are bound or in which said nanoparticles are suspended; and   an agrochemical active ingredient in said nanoparticles.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticles are nonpathogenic plant virus particles. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticle is a viral nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Tombusviridae, Comaviridae, and Bromoviridae virus particles. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticle is a red clover necrotic mosaic virus particle. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is in the form of a pre-formed fabric sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is a sprayable composition. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fibers are nonwoven biodegradable fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said polymer fibers comprise a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyethylene oxide, polycaprolactone, polyethylenimine-polyethylene glycol, cyclodextrin, ethylene vinyl acetate, poly(L-lysine)-poly(ethylene glycol), polyethylenimine, poly(a[4-aminobutyl]-1-glycolic acid, poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, poly (vinyl alcohol), poly(enol-ketone), and N-2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide copolymers. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fibers are extensible. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said nanoparticles are covalently or noncovalently coupled to said polymer fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said carrier further comprises water. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of nematicides, fungicides, herbicides, pesticides, acaricides, rodenticides, plant growth regulators, nutrients, pest repellents, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said active ingredient is a nematicide. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein said nematicide is selected from the group consisting of avermectin, oxamyl, ethoprop, carbofuran and fenamiphos. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a plant, comprising applying a composition of  claim 1  to said plant in a treatment effective amount. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plant is a monocot or dicot. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of wheat, corn (maize), soybean, cotton, cassava, potato, sweet potato, bananas, citrus, strawberries, tomato, coffee, carrots, peppers, turf grass, and greenhouse ornamentals. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plant is a plant part selected from the group consisting of leaves, flowers, stems, roots, tubers, fruits, and seeds. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plant is a seed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said composition is applied in an amount effective to combat nematode parasitism on said plant. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said nematode is selected from the group consisting  Meloidogyne  root knot nematodes,  Globodera  and  Heterodera  cyst nematodes;  Pratylenchus  lesion nematodies,  Dietylenchus  stem and bulb nematodes,  Tylenchulus  citrus nematodes,  Xiphinema  dagger nematodes,  Radopholus  burrowing nematodes,  Rotylenchulus  reniform nematodes,  Helicotylenchus  spiral nematodes, and  Belonolaimus  sting nematodes. 
     
     
         22 . A plant having a composition of  claim 1  contacted thereto. 
     
     
         23 . The plant of  claim 22 , wherein said plant is a monocot or dicot. 
     
     
         24 . The plant of  claim 22  wherein said plant is a plant part selected from the group consisting of leaves, flowers, stems, roots, tubers, fruits, and seeds. 
     
     
         25 . The plant of  claim 22 , wherein said plant is a seed. 
     
     
         26 . The plant of  claim 22 , wherein said plant is selected from the group consisting of wheat, corn (maize), soybean, cotton, cassava, potato, sweet potato, bananas, citrus, strawberries, tomato, coffee, carrots, peppers, turf grass, greenhouse ornamentals, taro, oats, barley, cereal rye, breadfruit, pea, rice, yams, garbanzo (chickpea), Jerusalem artichoke, and lentil.