Russian scientists have developed an alternative to citrus-based agricultural pesticides

Russian scientists have developed an environmentally friendly alternative to toxic pesticides using lemon juice. This innovative approach produces silver nanoparticles with powerful antibacterial properties, providing a sustainable solution to one of agriculture's most pressing problems.

The study, published in the journal Discovery Nano, shows significant progress in sustainable agricultural technologies. An international research team including collaborators from China, India and Poland developed this approach as part of Russia's 2030 Priority Countries Initiative.

“This technology could radically change the way we protect crops,” says Ph.D. Sudhir Shender, chief scientist at Sfidu. “Our green synthetic silver nanoparticles demonstrate significant antibacterial activity against several plant pathogens that commonly destroy postharvest crops.”

Laboratory tests have shown impressive antifungal properties against notorious crop pests including mold, aflatoxin and Niger plaster. These fungi cause significant crop losses worldwide, and historically these fungi have been affected by chemical pesticides that are of environmental and health concern.

An innovative approach uses lemons (citrus preparations). Synthesis of silver nanoparticles in the process. Director of the Sfidu Soil Science Department Tatiana Mingana said: “Very simple and cost-effective. She emphasized that this approach is not only environmentally friendly, but also scalable for industrial production.

“What makes this development particularly exciting is the potential for it to be implemented at scale,” says Ph.D. Mingana explains. “We have created a sustainable process that can be scaled up without compromising its environmental benefits or efficiency.”

This breakthrough is especially important as agricultural producers around the world increasingly move away from toxic pesticides and fungicides in search of environmentally friendly alternatives that do not compromise crop protection.

This is part of a wider global shift towards sustainable agricultural practices. The researchers suggest their approach could be refined to create more effective crop protection strategies that could change the way farmers around the world protect their crops from devastating pathogens.

The project is funded by the Russia 2030 Priority Academic Excellence Program, which aims to strengthen the country's research capacity in key areas such as agricultural sustainability and food security.

Author: World Agricultural Equipment Network

Source: Agricultural Machinery News Network