Aim of the hoRtikultrNA project is to further develop an RNA-based spraying process to enable its broad application for sustainable plant protection in horticulture. Together with project partners from the field of polymer chemistry, innovative encapsulation technologies are being developed to increase the stability and rain resistance of the RNA active ingredients. In addition, the use of stimuli-responsive micro-gel formulations will ensure that the RNA active ingredients remain stable in the target organism, like butterfly caterpillars, until they are specifically released and efficiently utilized at the site of action. The use of biobased and biodegradable micro-gels made from polysaccharides such as chitosan enables the RNAs to remain in the target culture (e.g. potato plants) for a longer period, while the micro-gels can also be functionalized to fulfill various properties and thus address different challenges in the context of stability and efficacy. We integrate the latest research findings on the avoidance of resistance formation and ecotoxicological effects into formulation development. 

​