Given the seedling diseases encountered by Louisiana soybean growers, it is proposed that fungicides entrapped in nanoparticles can be formulated into a coating able to protect seeds from fungal diseases during storage and the period immediately after seeding. It is hypothesized that a co-polymer synthesized from lignin and PLGA can be formed into biodegradable nanoparticles able to efficiently entrap fungicides (azoxystrobin as a model). The applied fungicide-loaded nanoparticles is expected to protect the seeds during storage for improved performance of the seed as measured by germination and plant health. Seedlings will be challenged with Rhizoctonia solani, a common soybean pathogen to assess whether the treatment will protect the plant.

Objective 1: Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization. The co-polymer will be formed into nanoparticles by emulsion-evaporation method, and the physical-chemical characteristics of the nanoparticles will be measured (size, size distribution, stability, loading capacity and release kinetics).
Objective 2: Test the impact of nanoparticle seed treatment on soybean health and insect susceptibility. Treated seed will be sown in hydroponic and soil conditions, and plant health will be assessed by measuring plant biomass, root and stem lengths, water and nutrient absorption, and chlorophyll concentration. Plants will be tested for changes in insect susceptibility.
Objective 3: Determine if nanoparticles with entrapped fungicides improve seedling disease control, plant stands, vigor, and yield. Treated seed will be sown in hydroponic and/or sterilized growth medium that has been inoculated with R. solani. Plants will be monitored for differences in disease incidence and severity.

The applied fungicide-loaded nanoparticles is expected to protect the seeds during storage for improved performance of the seed as measured by germination and plant health.