Australian researchers say they have developed a sustainable way to protect crops from pests and diseases, by spraying them with a special clay. The discovery could also help the rural sector in the fight against pesticide resistance in certain crops.
The spray is known as 'BioClay' and was developed by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN).
Agricultural biotechnologist and research leader, Neena Mitter, said the clay spray contained molecules that helped protect crops from invading pathogens.
"BioClay is a beautiful combination of biology and nanotechnology," she said.