Result description
In VIRTIGATION, KU Leuven had initially developed and tested 12 different candidate plant extracts against various developmental stages of whitefly under controlled laboratory conditions. At project end, 3 formulations (i.e. F1, F5 and F15) have undergone efficacy field trials for further testing and validation. The KU Leuven formulations performed well in controlling whitefly infestation, especially when applied as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. It is also not harmful for beneficial insects in the field. While the active ingredient has been identified in the selected formulations based on feeding assays performed with mutant and wildtype plants, further isolation and validation are still required.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- Business partners – SMEs, Entrepreneurs, Large Corporations
- Other type of Investment
Interest in collaborations with large-industry companies to explore cooperation for further scale-up, testing and data generation for the formulations, which would be required for a possible future EFSA biopesticide registration dossier (e.g. toxicity, stability, etc.) in the long-term horizon (i.e. till 2030). Furthermore, interest in additional funding for further isolation and validation of the active ingredient underlying the formulations.
- Public or private funding institutions
- Other Actors who can help us fulfil our market potential
- Private Investors
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The result owner KU Leuven is seeking additional funding to complete the isolation and validation of the Active Ingredient, considering the promising results of the formulations in the final VIRTIGATION field trials. KU Leuven also seeks to collaborate with companies who would be interested in scaling up the formulations.
