Biodegradable lignocellulosic matrices from banana harvest waste for sustainable crop protection and carbon farming

Overview

Agricultural soils face a dual challenge: the carbon footprint of synthetic polymer-based delivery systems and the persistent threat of plant-parasitic nematodes that reduce crop yield and quality. This solution addresses both problems through fibrous lignocellulosic matrices fabricated from the geographical abundance of banana harvest waste. These biodegradable, carbon-neutral matrices serve as sustained delivery vehicles for crop protection actives, enabling effective pest control with minimal active ingredient loads while contributing to carbon sequestration in agricultural soils.

The technology leverages an underutilized agricultural byproduct to create value-added inputs for farming, offering a circular economy approach that benefits growers, agrochemical companies, and sustainability-focused organizations.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Bio-based raw material: Matrices are fabricated from lignocellulosic biomass sourced from banana harvest waste, providing a renewable and locally abundant feedstock
• Solvent- and additive-free fabrication: A robust, clean processing route avoids chemical solvents and synthetic additives, preserving the carbon-neutral profile
• Tunable porosity and strength: Processing conditions can be adjusted based on soil type, crop, and active ingredient to control uptake, release, and decomposition profiles
• Sustained and tunable release: Enables slow, controlled delivery of actives such as abamectin over extended periods, reducing the total quantity of active ingredient required
• Nematode suppression without actives: Field observations in sub-Saharan Africa indicate significant reduction in plant-parasitic nematode populations even with abamectin-free matrices
• Biodegradable in soil: Naturally decomposes in agricultural soils, eliminating the microplastic burden associated with synthetic polymer carriers

Demonstrated applications:

• Wrapped around seeds or seed pieces for slow release of anthelmintic actives to control root knot and potato cyst nematodes
• Potential delivery vehicle for biorational biopesticides such as Actinovate and soil health products such as Myco Apply

Technology readiness level

The matrices have been fabricated and tested in field conditions in sub-Saharan Africa, where they demonstrated sustained release of abamectin and meaningful nematode population reductions both with and without active loading. The research team plans to further fine-tune matrix morphology through varied processing conditions and to investigate active-matrix interactions to enhance carbon sequestration potential and crop performance. The technology is positioned for pilot-scale validation and collaborative scale-up toward pre-commercial readiness, with opportunities for co-development of crop-specific formulations and active ingredient pairings.