Researchers Looking At Nanotechnology To Prevent Frost Damage

Washington State University Researchers are looking at nanotechnology  to prevent frost damage in tree fruit.  The groundbreaking research focuses on nanocrystals made from plant-based material that’s applied to the buds of the trees early in the spring.  The hope is applying these crystals will help insulate the buds better than the current meth of using wind turbines or smudge pots.

WSU Professor Matt Whiting said the great thing about this research, is it’s not crop specific.

“While we do see an effect from the coding, and a positive effect, we’re not entirely sure on the mechanisms, we’re investigating that more thoroughly this year.  So far we’ve worked with apples, and cherries and wine grapes, and seeing similar responses across the board.”

Whiting added at this point there is no reason to believe these nanocrystals will impact taste or food safety.

“So, when we’re applying these, it’s obviously in the early stages; bud break, post bud break, perhaps the early stage of flowering, those are the ones that we’ve evaluated so far.  And we haven’t proven this with data, but there is very little to no chance there would be any residue remaining on small parts of flowers that would still be there at the time of harvest.”

Whiting noted another great aspect of this research is the fact that it’s interdisciplinary.

WSU received a $500,000 grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture earlier this year to help in research.  That is in addition to $100,000 from the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com