Organic farming: Paving the way for new bioinsecticides
9/5/2019
Researchers at the ENEA Trisaia Center in Basilicata are studying the environmental impact of new-generation biopesticides capable of "silencing" specific insect genes causing damage to crops. Conducted as part of the European project "iPlanta", coordinated by the Polytechnic University of the Marches, this research foresees tests on the interaction between insects treated with the innovative biopesticide and their natural predators used in integrated pest control, which is a type of agriculture characterized by a drastic reduction of pesticides.
"This type of biopesticide has several advantages: first of all it acts in a targeted manner on a few insect species, in particular beetles, and guarantees a low persistence in the natural environment, in addition to lower risks for farmers", ENEA researcher Salvatore Arpaia, one of the two Italian referents of the project, explained.
The ENEA researches are focusing on a predator insect, the Chrysoperla carnea, known commonly as the green lacewing, which represents one of the main "enemies" of insects [1] harmful to crops such as fruit plants, strawberries and vegetables.
"The first tests we conducted didn’t show any negative effects on the green lacewing when in contact with RNAi biopesticides, paving the way for their possible use also in organic farming", Arpaia said.
In addition to biopesticides in agriculture, the RNAi technique could also be useful in environmental remediation. "Together with the University of Athens we will test this biotechnology on plants, to make them capable of absorbing pollutants from the soil beyond their natural limits. This would make it possible to clean soils from toxic metals such as arsenic and cadmium. These plants are not intended for human or animal consumption, but once harvested, they could be used in energy and biofuels production”, Arpaia concluded.
The project "iPlanta" is funded under COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), the intergovernmental organization that finances four-year projects called Actions (Action), for the creation of research networks among scientists from Europe and other Countries.
For more information please contact:
Salvatore Arpaia, ENEA – Division “Bioenergy, Biorefinery and Green Chemistry” salvatore.arpaia@enea.it
[1]Afidi Aphids (the so-called plant lice), mites, moths, beetles and scale insects.