This invention relates to the biodegradable calcium-based metal-organic frameworks (Ca-MOFs) nanocarrier loaded with fungicide azole-group which provides a slow release of the active ingredient and effectively inhibits the growth of fungal pathogens particularly Ganoderma boninense.

Ca-MOFs is a newly registered crystal as UPMOF1. Calcium is non-toxic, environmentally friendly and micronutrient that promotes plant growth and reduces soil acidity. The invention discloses the ability of the material to retain its crystal structure. To date, no patent or published work on the effectiveness of Ca-MOFs as fungicide nanocarriers against any plant diseases.

Ca-MOFs are able to encapsulate up to >90% of hexaconazole (1-3%) into its porosity with a controlled slow-release for up to 21 days. Bioassay test showed hexa-UPMOF1 requires only 50ppm to inhibit the growth of Ganoderma boninense for more than 6 months. Nursery trial on oil palm seedlings showed it provides maximum efficiency against Ganoderma boninense

Advantages

 

Current technologies normally consumed 3-5% of hexaconazole with fast-release within a day, which requires repetitive work. It leads to high labour costs and leachate to the environment. The invented Ca-MOFs nanocarrier requires less than 1% or as low as 50ppm of hexaconazole.

The hexaconazole can be fully released for up to 21 days. It can also act as micronutrients from MOFS in agriculture applications.

The invention can also be used in other agriculture applications including carrier agents for insecticide, herbicide, or pesticide active ingredients or fertilizers. Moreover, the developed invention can be used for other targeting plant diseases in commodities (oil palm, rubber) and fruits (banana) plantations.

This could possibly in high demands from

1. Pesticide companies
2. Oil palm plantation (basal stem rot - Ganoderma boninense)
3. Rubber plantation (white rot fungus - Rigidoporus microporus)
4. Fruits plantation e.g. banana, papaya, mango (fusarium)

This invention is applicable to plantation companies worldwide, especially in Asian (Indonesia/Thailand), African (Nigeria) and South American (Brazil) countries.

 

Inventor 

Prof. ChM Dr. Mohd Basyaruddin bin Abdul Rahman
Faculty of Science
basya@upm.edu.my

Date of Input: 27/07/2022 | Updated: 30/07/2022 | asrizam