3-D spacer textile: A new way to protect crops from pests

Monday, November 14, 2022

10:30 AM – 10:42 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 212

Presenting Author(s)

GC

Grayson L. Cave

Ph.D. Student
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Co-Author(s)

AW

Andre J. West

Director, Zeis Textiles Extension Associate Professor, TATM
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
MM

Marian McCord

University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
BK

Bryan Koene

Luna Innovations
Blacksburg, Virginia
JB

J B. Beck

Luna Innovations
Blacksburg, Virginia
JD

Jean M. Deguenon

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
KL

Kun Luan

Post Doctoral Researcher
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
RR

R. Michael Roe

William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

The need for a consistent and healthy food source has become an increasing concern. Society has relied on chemical insecticides to protect crops, but pests have developed resistance to commercial insecticides and beneficial organisms can be negatively affected. Adding to the problem is the increasing demand for organic produce over concerns about insecticides present in consumed food. This has led to a challenge for farmers to keep their crops safe, and produce enough to supply demand to an increasing populace. Moreover, with global warming, many areas are struggling with water shortages or harsh conditions, which can limit the types and size of crops. To combat this, we have invented a durable textile that uses novel structure to prevent penetration by thrips and caterpillars, while still allowing for light, water, and air penetration. The textile had high or complete protection against thrips and neonate caterpillars in worst case studies utilizing a novel bioassay developed to determine the amount of insect penetration, and indoor field simulations with high insect pressure. In a field study, crops were protected from insects and grew to double the size of control plants. The textile was evaluated and proved to have high durability, while still retaining high rain, moisture, air, and light penetration. This was achieved through novel construction of the textile, which excludes insects based on their size and creates a torturous path through 3D knitting technology.