News
Newly discovered chemical is a highly targeted killer of parasitic worms
Published: 26 May 2023
The most abundant animals on farms—and everywhere on land, in fact—are microscopic worms called nematodes. Some kinds benefit the soil, but others parasitize crops, inflicting more than $100 billion in losses worldwide each year. Although pesticides can get rid of harmful nematodes, they inflict collateral damage on other life.
Now, researchers have discovered a new chemical that selectively kills harmful nematodes with a much lower risk of toxicity to humans and other creatures. “This is really unique,†says parasitologist Tim Geary of À¦°óSMÉçÇø and Queen’s University Belfast, who was not involved. “It could offer a way to improve control of crop pests.â€