Novel Agrochemical Delivery Technology

Depending on the method of application and climate conditions, as much as 90% of applied agrochemicals never reach their target at the time and quantity required. As a result of these inefficiencies, pesticides are often applied to agricultural systems at greater frequency and often at higher concentrations than required.

Besides increasing the cost of the treatment, the inefficient use of agrochemicals often results in undesirable effects to both the local, regional and global environment. The development of controlled release technologies for the delivery of agrochemicals therefore presents the agricultural sector with a novel method to increase both crop yield and quality whilst reducing the environmental impact of chemical use.

Stopford Projects Ltd is currently conducting a research and development project to validate the use of a novel biomatrix for the controlled release of a suite of agrochemicals into horticultural systems. The Stopford R&D team are collaborating with the Centre for Chemicals Management and The Centre for Sustainable at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre on the project. The project will include: