Specific delivery of agrochemicals

Abstract

Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, a targeting agent has at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant. Such binding domains include a peptide having 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, or fragment(s) thereof, wherein the binding domains bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. Further described are methods for delivering agrochemicals to a plant, for depositing agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to methods for protecting a plant against stress or controlling plant growth. Also, described are methods for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier.

1 . A binding domain able to bind at least one binding site on an intact living plant. 
     
     
         2 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain is derived from an innate or adaptive immune system. 
     
     
         3 . A binding domain able to bind at least one binding site on a plant, wherein the binding domain is comprised in a peptide that comprises four framework regions and three complementary determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain is able to bind a carrier onto a plant. 
     
     
         5 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain is able to retain a carrier onto a plant. 
     
     
         6 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain binds to a specific part of the plant. 
     
     
         7 . The binding domain of  claim 6 , wherein the part of the plant is selected from the group consisting of leaves, stem, roots, fruits, cones, flowers, bulbs and tubers. 
     
     
         8 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain binds to a specific structure on the plant. 
     
     
         9 . The binding domain of  claim 8 , wherein the specific structure is selected from the group consisting of trichomes, stomata, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, cuticle and wax layer. 
     
     
         10 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain binds to the plant in an agrochemical formulation. 
     
     
         11 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain binds to gum Arabic. 
     
     
         12 . The binding domain of  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain binds to lectins, lectin-like domains, extensins, or extensin-like domains. 
     
     
         13 . The binding domain according to  claim 1 , wherein the binding domain is derived from a camelid antibody. 
     
     
         14 . The binding domain of  claim 13 , wherein the binding domain is comprised in a VHH sequence. 
     
     
         15 . The binding domain of  claim 14  wherein the VHH sequence has two stabilizing disulfide bridges. 
     
     
         16 - 50 . (canceled)