Novel 3-D Spacer Textiles to Protect Crops from Insect Infestation and That Enhance Plant Growth

Pesticide-free, 3-D, spacer fabrics (Plant Armor Generation (PA Gen) 1 and 2) were investigated for proof-of-concept as an insect barrier to protect plants improve plant agronomics organic farming. The time 50% penetration (TP50) tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) adults in laboratory Petri dish bioassays was 30 175 min PA Gen 2, respectively, 12 the control (a commercially available, single layer-crop cover, Proteknet). 2 ≥90% resistant of unfed caterpillar neonates, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), while TP50‘s Proteknet 3.1 2.35 h, respectively. In small cage studies, covered potted cabbage 100% by these insects through 10 d after which study ended. field plot studies 3 summer months, grew approximately twice fast when versus not with without need insecticides or herbicides. This observed crop cover. Martindale abrasion tests demonstrated at least 6- 1.8-fold more durable than cover used. Data are also presented on percentage light, water, air, water vapor across each textile operational temperatures humidity uncovered plots.