Efficient Binding, Protection, and Self-Release of dsRNA in Soil by Linear and Star Cationic Polymers

Abstract

Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) exhibits severe degradation within 3 days in live soil, limiting its potential application in crop protection. Herein we report the efficient binding, protection, and self-release of dsRNA in live soil through the usage of a cationic polymer. Soil stability assays show that linear poly­(2-(dimethylamino)­ethyl acrylate) can delay the degradation of dsRNA by up to 1 week while the star shaped analogue showed an increased stabilization of dsRNA by up to 3 weeks. Thus, the architecture of the polymer can significantly affect the lifetime of dsRNA in soil. In addition, the hydrolysis and dsRNA binding and release profiles of these polymers were carefully evaluated and discussed. Importantly, hydrolysis could occur independently of environmental conditions (e.g., different pH, different temperature) showing the potential for many opportunities in agrochemicals where protection and subsequent self-release of dsRNA in live soil is required.

Alcohol mediated degenerate chain transfer controlled cationic polymerisation of para-alkoxystyrene

“…The advancement of macromolecular synthesis has enabled the creation of complex architectures and functional materials. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Although controlled radical polymerisation methods have dominated this area in general, 8,9,14 materials generated by cationic polymerisation offer unique properties that are not readily accessible by radical chemistry. 10,11 In contrast, controlled cationic polymerisation has gained less attention, due to the synthetic challenge in controlling the highly reactive propagating cationic species that often leads to more side reactions.…”

Synthesis of well-defined star, star-block, and miktoarm star biodegradable polymers based on PLLA and PCL by one-pot azide–alkyne click reaction

“…5 The preparation of dened polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution structure is very important to establish a structure-performance relationship, so the synthesis of star polymers has a signicant meaning in theoretical and practical applications. 2,[6][7][8][9][10] Star or star-shaped polymers have been efficiently, precisely, and widely synthesized along with developments in various living polymerizations, such as living anionic, [11][12][13] cationic 14,15 and radical polymerizations. 16,17 In particular, with the development of reactive/controlled radical polymerization technologies such as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, 5,18 atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) 19 and nitrogen-oxygen stable radical polymerization (NMP), 20 the synthesis of a well-dened star polymer is much easier recently.…”

Considerations and Regulatory Approaches in the USA and in the EU for dsRNA-Based Externally Applied Pesticides for Plant Protection

“…Mitter et al (2017) used positively charged layered double hydroxyde (LDH) clay nanosheets as dsRNA carrier (BioClay) in order to protect dsRNA from degradation after foliar application. Other potential dsRNA carriers that were found to increase the persistence of dsRNA in soil are cationic polymers (Whitfield et al, 2018).…”