The protection of citrus against Phytophthora diseases could be realized using waste-based products generated by the infection process of the same pathogen, according to new research from scientists from the Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest systems (DIBAF) at the University of Tuscia, in Italy.

Prof. Anna Maria Vettraino and Dr. Najwa Benfradj from DIBAF are working together on the project WaNaPhy2.0 (From Waste to eco-friendly Nanotools to control Phytophthora diseases of Citrus spp. 2.0) to elaborate a new biological and economist methodology to control Phytophthora citrus diseases. The project fits with the European policy for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It will impact on the well-being and health of citizens by providing healthy food and soil, which are benefits improved by the European Green Deal. The proposal perfectly fits in UN Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss).

Currently, the most common method used by farmers to control Phytophthora diseases is based on the applications of chemicals. However, this approach is expensive and seriously impacts the environment, human and animal health. Moreover, the widespread use of chemicals leads to the development of fungicidal resistant strains. Thus, an innovative strategy is needed for sustainable agriculture. The move toward green chemistry processes and the continuing need for developing new crop protection tools with novel modes of action make discovery and commercialization of natural products such as green pesticides an attractive and profitable pursuit that is commanding attention. In this context, agricultural waste is gaining a renewed importance since it could be considered part of an effective bioeconomy strategy by their transformation into value-added products such as essential oils.
Prof. Vettraino says nearly 1.3 billion hectares of land is currently used to produce food that is subsequently lost or wasted. Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic moved many countries into a long period of lockdown, exacerbated food loss and waste, especially of perishable agricultural production. The scenario will not get better in the future. Due to the rapid increase of population, the development of industry worldwide and lack of waste recycling, total food losses and waste production is expected to increase.
'The use of nanotechnology in the synthesis of a new formulation, based on citrus waste essential oils and metabolites of endophyte fungi, used to control Phytophthora citrus diseases will constitute a new way to reduce agricultural waste, improve the affordable yield and quality not just for citrus crop, by also the food worldwide', she adds.
Dr. Benfradj says the principal objective of the project is to find a new cheap biological formulation that can be involved in the management strategies of Phytophthora citrus disease. However, during that time we will also contribute to the management of citrus waste by switching in the production of antifungal products.'
' Citrus production is increasing worldwide due to consumer demand. As a result, citrus waste is also increasing, causing high costs for its disposal, as well as environmental and human health damage if improperly managed. Thus, the exploitation of citrus waste in the production of essential oils that can protect plants against phytopathogens contribute to the management of this waste ', she adds.
Nanobiotechnology will be used to charge the alginate nanoparticles with essential oil and fungal metabolites. The effectiveness of the new formulation will be tested in vitro and in vivo on citrus fruits and trees.
The project will lead to the reduction of agricultural losses, improve affordable yields and the quality of food. Also, the overall applied approach can be extended to other contexts for designing new and innovative product supply chains, thereby enhancing the implementation of bioeconomy strategies.
In addition, the reduction of the impact of chemical applications in the environment, climate, soil, non-target organisms. This will also decrease environmental pollution and CO2 emissions and their effect on human health, food safety and agriculture, increase the availability of high-quality products, preservation of the environment and biodiversity.
Acknowledgement
This work has been supported by funding from the MIUR- National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) Mission 4, "Education and Research" - Component 2, "From Research to Business" - Investment line 1.2, "Funding projects presented by young researchers", funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU.