Tel Aviv, April 22 (ANI/TPS): In celebration of Earth Day, Israeli researchers have made strides toward creating an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. This initiative, led by Prof. Hanoch Senderowitz from Bar-Ilan University and Dr. Iris Yedidia of the Volcani Institute (the Ministry of Agriculture’s research arm), aims to reduce the environmental and health impacts of traditional crop protection methods while addressing plant diseases.
The researchers are developing compounds that inhibit the virulence of plant pathogens by targeting bacterial quorum sensing, a communication system bacteria use to coordinate attacks on plants. By disrupting this process, they can prevent disease outbreaks without using harmful chemicals, which helps minimize ecological damage and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Through computational modeling and experimental science, the team is identifying compounds that interfere with key proteins in pathogenic bacteria. This innovative approach could soon offer a sustainable alternative to traditional pesticides, providing crop protection while safeguarding ecosystems.
The project has received support from the United States-Israel Binational Agriculture Research and Development (BARD) Foundation, Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture, COPIA venture agrifood fund, and Israeli Innovation Authority.
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