CAAS to initiate the nation’s first nano-agriculture project

On February 22 in Beijing, CAAS rolled out the Basic Research on Improving the Effectiveness and Safety of Pesticides by nano-materials and nanotechnology, which marks the first project to be supported by the National Basic Research Program (973 Program) in the field of nano-agriculture.
 

The 5-years project will be organized by the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture (IEDA) of CAAS, aiming at achieving China’s strategic objective on developing environment-friendly pesticide. The project will have four sub-projects to address the following key scientific nano-delivery systems: 1) dispensing (water-based) effects of pesticide; 2) pesticide deposition efficiency and dose transfer mechanism; 3) increase bioavailability of pesticide; 4) catalytic degradation and bio-safety of pesticide residues.

According to the project Chief Scientist Professor Cui Haixin at IEDA, the research will use the nano-materials and nanotechnology to increase efficiency and safety of the pesticide by improving functions of traditional pesticide in costs effective. Furthermore, the project is a priority for not only preserving the quality of the food chain and reduces the threat to the environment, but also restores promising public health and eco-environment.