Sustainability

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.

Current biocontrol measures for pepper foot rot depend on chemical fungicides such as metalaxyl (8%) combined with mancozeb (64%) (Katyayani Krishi Direct, n.d.). Mancozeb exposure is linked to hepatic, renal, and genotoxic effects. Chronic use also poses risks of endocrine disruption, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity in mammals. In contrast, our siRNA nanoformulation is safe, non-toxic, and does not harm humans or other mammals, which aligns with the goal of safeguarding human health (Yahia et al., 2019).

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.

As a part of our project, we have conducted outreach programs at kindergartens, middle schools, and high schools across Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and Udupi. We have covered a total of 21 schools, educating over 3010 students. At these visits, students were introduced to the world of synthetic biology through engaging activities such as crossword puzzles and interactive videos. To make the sessions more inclusive and creative, we also used modelling clay to explain various biology concepts in a fun and interactive manner for neurodivergent kids. These initiatives helped spark curiosity, build scientific literacy, and provide early exposure to technical knowledge, ensuring that future generations are better equipped with the skills and mindset to explore the scientific world.

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation.

Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, and encourage innovation by 2030.

Pepper foot rot caused by P. capsici leads to over 30% yield loss in India and 95% yield loss globally (Thao et al., 2024). Existing solutions like fungicides and Trichoderma are often ineffective and harmful. Our project introduces a nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery system that is eco-friendly and reduces reliance on chemical pesticides. This approach promotes agricultural innovation, strengthens resilient farming systems, supports sustainable spice industry infrastructure, and empowers farmers with safe, targeted, and affordable disease management.

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Target 12.4: By 2030, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Pepper foot rot is currently synonymous with heavy fungicide use, leading to chemical buildup in soil, non-target toxicity, and long-term health risks for humans and animals. Our project introduces an eco-friendly nanoformulation that provides targeted control of Phytophthora capsici without polluting the soil or harming biodiversity. By reducing the reliance on synthetic agrochemicals, our approach supports sustainable farming practices, promotes safer production, and minimizes the environmental footprint of pepper cultivation.

Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce natural habitat degradation, halt biodiversity loss, and protect threatened species.

Foot rot devastates black pepper vines, threatening both biodiversity and soil health. The use of chemical fungicides further degrades land and harms non-target species. Our sustainable nanoformulation offers precise pathogen control without polluting the soil. This approach helps preserve soil fertility, safeguard crop diversity, and reduce ecosystem damage, contributing to biodiversity protection and sustainable land management.

Katyayani Krishi Direct. (n.d.). Buy Metalaxyl + Mancozeb WP | Katyayani Meta-Manco Online. https://katyayanikrishidirect.com/products/metalaxyl-8-mancozeb-64-wp-meta-manco-fungicide

Thao, L. D., Khanh, T. N., Van Liem, N., Hien, L. T., Thanh, H. M., Binh, V. T. P., Trang, T. T. T., Anh, P. T., Van Chung, N., Hien, P. H., Van Long, N., Duy, N. Q., Lesueur, D., Herrmann, L., & Brau, L. (2024). Current species of oomycetes associated with foot rot disease of black pepper in Vietnam. Tropical Plant Pathology, 49(5), 633–648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40858-024-00662-4

Yahia, D., El-Amir, Y. O., & Rushdi, M. (2019). Mancozeb fungicide-induced genotoxic effects, metabolic alterations, and histological changes in the colon and liver of Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 35(4), 265–276. https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233719834150