Carbonate-Substituted Hydroxyapatite Carrier for Plant Disease Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural treatments for plant diseases, particularly in vines, face challenges such as residual toxicity, phytotoxicity, and limited effectiveness due to the repeated use of copper and sulphur-based substances, which also impact soil microflora and require high doses, while existing hydroxyapatite carriers fail to effectively deliver antimicrobial agents to plants.
Innovation Solution
The use of carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite comprising bioactive molecules, which penetrates plant tissues and provides controlled release of antimicrobial and nutritional substances, enhancing the plant's natural defenses and reducing the need for high doses of active substances by adsorbing and releasing bioactive molecules like copper, zinc, and essential oils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper-based treatments are used repeatedly to fight plant diseases, then disease control effectiveness is maintained, but residual toxicity and phytotoxicity increase, and soil microflora is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of copper from soluble copper compounds to copper ions adsorbed on carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite particles. This parameter change maintains copper's antimicrobial effectiveness while reducing its toxicity because the apatite carrier controls copper release and prevents excessive accumulation in the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite acts as an intermediary carrier between the copper source and the plant pathogens. It adsorbs copper ions and releases them slowly at the site of infection, mediating the interaction between copper and pathogens while preventing direct contact between high concentrations of copper and the environment.
2Reliability
If high doses of copper and sulphur are applied to ensure disease control, then pathogen elimination is effective, but the quantity of active substances required increases, and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite particles with controlled porosity and surface area to adsorb and release copper ions. The porous structure provides a large surface area for copper adsorption while maintaining controlled release properties, reducing the total quantity of copper needed compared to bulk applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The apatite particles serve as a template or copy that replicates the active copper function throughout the treated area. Each particle acts as a mini-copper reservoir, distributing the active substance uniformly across the plant surface and reducing the total amount needed compared to conventional bulk applications.
3Reliability
If sulphur-based treatments are used to fight powdery mildew and oïdium, then fungal infection control is effective, but effectiveness is reduced under high humidity and low temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the delivery mechanism from gaseous sulphur (which requires sublimation and is affected by temperature/humidity) to copper ions adsorbed on solid apatite particles. This parameter change eliminates the climatic limitations of sulphur-based treatments while maintaining fungal control effectiveness.
4Duration of action of moving object
If conventional hydroxyapatite carriers are used to deliver antimicrobial agents, then controlled release is achieved, but effectiveness in delivering agents to plants is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite, a composite material combining calcium phosphate with carbonate ions. This composite structure provides both the controlled release properties of hydroxyapatite and enhanced biocompatibility and plant uptake characteristics, improving delivery effectiveness to plants.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively treats plant diseases by ensuring intimate contact with pathogens, reducing toxicity, and promoting sustainable agriculture by minimizing the amount of active substances required, while also providing nutritional benefits and controlled release mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite comprising bioactive molecules... adsorbing and releasing bioactive molecules like copper, zinc, and essential oils
Implementation Method 2
The carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite comprising bioactive molecules is applied on the plants and penetrates into the plants through natural openings
Data Source
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AI summary
The patent application relates to a substituted hydroxyapatite particle comprising a bioactive agent, aggregates of these particles and compositions comprising these particles or aggregates, as well as their use for treating plants for phytosanitary and/or nutritional purposes.