Scientists at Jagiellonian University have developed a plant-protection preparation based entirely on natural substances that may serve as an effective antifungal agent for crops, with potential use in both large-scale agriculture and organic farming.
The formulation, derived from beta-glucans extracted from cereal grains, showed effectiveness in laboratory and field tests against major fungal pathogens affecting cereals, while also increasing crop yields, according to a university press release.
Fungal diseases are a growing threat to agriculture, reducing yields and contributing to rising food prices. At the same time, the number of approved antifungal agents is declining due to environmental concerns, while resistance among fungal strains is increasing.
The newly developed preparation targets this gap. Researchers modified naturally occurring beta-glucans—polysaccharides found in cereal and fungal cell walls—by attaching quaternary amines, giving the molecules a സ്ഥിര positive charge.
'The preparation we have developed is based on polymeric beta-glucan molecules to which we attach quaternary amines. These amines are characterised by a permanent positive charge regardless of pH. It is this charge that is key to the antifungal activity of the modified beta-glucan', says Kamil Kamiński, PhD, a professor at the university’s Faculty of Chemistry.
Researchers said the production process is simple, water-based and does not generate highly toxic waste or require significant energy input, which could improve its commercial viability.
Field tests conducted on barley and triticale demonstrated effectiveness against Puccinia hordei, which causes leaf rust, and Blumeria graminis, responsible for powdery mildew. The preparation also showed activity against fungi from the Fusarium genus, which includes major plant pathogens.
'In our climate zone, the fungi strongly affected by the preparation are responsible for the most common and simultaneously the most destructive fungal infections of cereals in terms of profitability. In our tests, the use of the new preparation reduced fungal infections by around 50 percent compared to the control group. This is a level comparable to ecological preparations currently used in agriculture', says Magdalena Skóra, PhD, from the Faculty of Medicine at the Jagiellonian University Medical College.
Researchers reported that the preparation’s performance was comparable to copper hexagluconate, a commonly used antifungal agent.
'The effectiveness in suppressing fungal infections is comparable to copper hexagluconate, used as a control agent and commonly applied in agriculture as an antifungal product. (...) Importantly, during experimental field tests we discovered that applying our preparation increased yields by as much as 20 percent compared to crops not treated with any antifungal plant-protection agents', Kamiński adds.
The exact mechanism of action has not yet been confirmed. Scientists believe the effect is likely due to electrostatic interactions between positively charged beta-glucan molecules and negatively charged fungal cell surfaces. Further studies are planned to verify this hypothesis.
The preparation may be suitable for major crops grown in Poland, including wheat, barley and triticale. Preliminary laboratory results suggest it could also be effective against fungi affecting potatoes and tomatoes.
The solution is applied as a standard spray using conventional agricultural equipment.
'Such agents are applied optimally under conditions that favour fungal infection pressure, when there is a real risk of the disease appearing or intensifying', Skóra adds.
Initial toxicity tests, including studies on insect larvae and mammalian cell lines, showed no adverse effects. Researchers noted that beta-glucans are biodegradable and have long been used in food and cosmetics without reported harm.
The technology is legally protected, with commercialisation overseen by the university’s Centre for Technology Transfer CITTRU. The institution plans to bring the product to market after ongoing studies conclude later this year.
Researchers warn that tightening EU regulations are likely to further reduce the number of approved pesticides in the coming years, potentially leaving only sulphur- and copper-based products in use. At the same time, fungal resistance is expected to increase.
'Only products based on sulphur and copper will remain in use. If, during the same period, fungal resistance to pesticides continues to grow, it is possible that any new preparation with a different chemical composition will prove particularly effective, as fungi will not yet have developed resistance to it', they write.
Kamiński said the approach represents a new class of compounds in agriculture.
'This means that crop pathogens will not exhibit mechanisms of rapid resistance to it', he says. (PAP)
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