North Carolina State University researchers designed a textile \u201cPlant Armor\u201d that forces insects to navigate a maze-like path if they try to reach a plant. The design was more effective at blocking insects from reaching cabbage plants in multiple experiments, compared with an alternative crop cover.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cWe found it\u2019s possible to use this new technology to protect against insects we didn\u2019t think we could protect against,\u201d said the study\u2019s first author Grayson Cave<\/a>, a doctoral candidate at NC State. \u201cWe\u2019ve shown we can use a mechanical barrier that will protect against tobacco thrips and possibly other insects, allowing the plant to grow and thrive underneath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cTo exclude insects that are really small using traditional textile cover designs, the size of the openings would have to be so small that it would also prevent water, air and moisture from penetrating,\u201d said the study\u2019s senior researcher Mike Roe<\/a>, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Entomology at NC State. \u201cWe had to come up with another way of excluding the insects other than just based on pore size.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cPart of what we\u2019re doing is finding new, smart textiles,\u201d said study co-author Andre West<\/a>, associate professor of textile, apparel and technology management at NC State and director of Zeis Textiles Extension. \u201cWe think this design could help farmers in extreme environments or where crop production is limited in certain areas. It could also be an alternative for organic farmers. Not only is the product itself made with some recycled materials, but it could also be recycled again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
The study, \u201cNovel 3-D Spacer Textiles to Protect Crops from Insect-Infestation and that Enhance Plant Growth,\u201d<\/a> was published online in the journal Agriculture<\/em>. Co-authors include Marian G. McCord, senior vice provost at the University of New Hampshire and adjunct professor in the NC State Department of Forest Biomaterials; Bryan Koene and Benjamin Beck of Luna Innovations; and Jean M. Deguenon and Kun Luan, postdoctoral research scholars at NC State. <\/p>\n\n\n
Conflicts of interest: Vector Textiles holds exclusive license for a patent <\/a>connected to the Plant Armor technology. McCord, Roe, and West are inventors on the patent related to the technology owned by NC State, and would share in revenues derived from commercialization.<\/p>\n\n\n
Note to editors<\/strong>: The abstract follows.<\/p>\n\n\n
Published<\/strong> online March 31, 2022, in Agriculture<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n
DOI<\/strong>: 10.3390\/agriculture12040498<\/p>\n\n\n
This post was originally published<\/a> in NC State News.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n
Based on their findings<\/a>, researchers said the Plant Armor could provide a more effective, chemical-free alternative for insect protection.<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cWe found it\u2019s possible to use this new technology to protect against insects we didn\u2019t think we could protect against,\u201d said the study\u2019s first author Grayson Cave<\/a>, a doctoral candidate at NC State. \u201cWe\u2019ve shown we can use a mechanical barrier that will protect against tobacco thrips and possibly other insects, allowing the plant to grow and thrive underneath.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cTo exclude insects that are really small using traditional textile cover designs, the size of the openings would have to be so small that it would also prevent water, air and moisture from penetrating,\u201d said the study\u2019s senior researcher Mike Roe<\/a>, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Entomology at NC State. \u201cWe had to come up with another way of excluding the insects other than just based on pore size.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cPart of what we\u2019re doing is finding new, smart textiles,\u201d said study co-author Andre West<\/a>, associate professor of textile, apparel and technology management at NC State and director of Zeis Textiles Extension. \u201cWe think this design could help farmers in extreme environments or where crop production is limited in certain areas. It could also be an alternative for organic farmers. Not only is the product itself made with some recycled materials, but it could also be recycled again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
The study, \u201cNovel 3-D Spacer Textiles to Protect Crops from Insect-Infestation and that Enhance Plant Growth,\u201d<\/a> was published online in the journal Agriculture<\/em>. Co-authors include Marian G. McCord, senior vice provost at the University of New Hampshire and adjunct professor in the NC State Department of Forest Biomaterials; Bryan Koene and Benjamin Beck of Luna Innovations; and Jean M. Deguenon and Kun Luan, postdoctoral research scholars at NC State. <\/p>\n\n\n
Conflicts of interest: Vector Textiles holds exclusive license for a patent <\/a>connected to the Plant Armor technology. McCord, Roe, and West are inventors on the patent related to the technology owned by NC State, and would share in revenues derived from commercialization.<\/p>\n\n\n
Note to editors<\/strong>: The abstract follows.<\/p>\n\n\n
Published<\/strong> online March 31, 2022, in Agriculture<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n