I-Corps: Translation Potential of Crop Seed Shaped Pellets for Planting Multi-Species with Standard Planting Equipment

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $50,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This I-Corps project focuses on the development of multiple-seed pellets that can be used to plant a wide range of plant species. The plants include many species that attract and foster beneficial insects including pollinators (bees), predators of insect pests (ladybugs), and threatened species (monarch butterflies). There are currently not enough beneficial plants in and around crop fields to support full pollination and suppression of insect pest outbreaks. Some key plants like milkweed have become so scarce that insects that depend on them are now threatened and require restrictions on key pest management practices. Restoring these plants benefits individual farmers and society by keeping the food and fiber supply secure and available at a reasonable price. Many of the most beneficial plants grow vigorously and are perennial so that once planted these beneficial plants can persist for several years. The challenge is that the seeds of the plants span a wide range of sizes and shapes. Several surveys have confirmed that farmers are aware of the benefits of establishing these beneficial plants, but the lack of an affordable, effective planting method is too great of a barrier to overcome. Multi-seed pellets that are the same size, shape, and weight as standard crop seeds (e.g., corn, soy, cotton) will be commercialized. These can be easily planted using the standard crop planting equipment that farmers already own, to establish a custom set of beneficial plants rapidly and re

Key facts

NSF award ID
2535798
Awardee
Cornell University (NY)
SAM.gov UEI
G56PUALJ3KT5
PI
John E Losey
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
BIO-RELATED MATERIALS RESEARCH
Estimated total
$50,000
Funds obligated
$50,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
07/15/2025 → 06/30/2027