In a breakthrough that could revolutionize agriculture, researchers have developed tiny silk needles to deliver nutrients and agrochemicals directly into plants, increasing crop yields and making farming more sustainable.
In a breakthrough that could revolutionize agriculture, researchers at MIT and Singapore have developed tiny needles made of silk to deliver nutrients and agrochemicals directly into plants. This innovative technique has the potential to increase crop yields, reduce environmental pollution, and make farming more sustainable.
The team, led by Benedetto Marelli and Yunteng Cao, created a way to produce large amounts of these hollow silk microneedles using a simple fabrication process that can be done outside of a clean room. ‘This is a game-changer,’ said Marelli. The microneedles are designed to deliver substances into plants with high precision, reducing the amount of chemicals wasted in the air or soil.
In demonstrations, the researchers showed their new technique could be used to give plants iron to treat a disease known as chlorosis and to add vitamin B12 to tomato plants to make them more nutritious for humans. ‘The microneedles are like tiny straws that deliver exactly what the plant needs,’ said Cao. The team also demonstrated the microneedles’ ability to monitor the quality of fluids flowing into plants and detect heavy metals in the surrounding soil.
Plant nutrition refers to the process by which plants obtain essential nutrients from their environment.
These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients.
Plants absorb these nutrients through their roots in the form of ions or water-soluble compounds.
Adequate plant nutrition is crucial for healthy growth, development, and productivity.
It affects yield, quality, and resistance to diseases and pests.
Heavy metal detection refers to the process of identifying and quantifying heavy metals in various samples, including environmental, food, and industrial materials.
This is typically done using techniques like atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Heavy metals can have toxic effects on humans and the environment, so accurate detection is crucial for public health and safety.
The researchers believe their microneedles could serve as a new kind of plant interface for real-time health monitoring and biofortification. By equipping autonomous vehicles and other equipment already used in farms, they envision automating and scaling the process to make the technology more accessible.
Plant health monitoring involves tracking and analyzing a plant's vital signs to detect potential issues before they become severe.
This can be achieved through various methods, including soil moisture sensors, temperature probes, and humidity gauges.
Regular monitoring helps prevent waterlogging, overwatering, and nutrient deficiencies, leading to healthier plants and increased yields.
According to a study, implementing plant health monitoring systems can reduce crop losses by up to 30%.
How It Works
Accessing the inner tissues of living plants requires scientists to get through the plants’ waxy skin without causing too much stress. ‘The silk-based microneedles are gentle on the plant,’ said Marelli. The researchers used silk-based microneedles to deliver agrochemicals to plants in lab environments and detect pH changes in living plants. However, these initial efforts involved small payloads, limiting their applications in commercial agriculture.
The new technique uses a salty solution inside tiny, cone-shaped molds to create hollow silk microneedles. As water evaporates from the solution, the silk solidifies into the mold while the salt forms crystalline structures inside the molds. When the salt is removed, it leaves behind a hollow structure or tiny pores in each needle.
Applications and Impact
The researchers believe their microneedles could be used to complement existing agricultural practices like spraying. ‘We’re not replacing traditional farming methods,’ said Cao, ‘but rather offering a new tool to make them more efficient.’. They also note that the technology has applications beyond agriculture, such as in biomedical engineering. The team’s work has the potential to increase crop yields, reduce environmental pollution, and make farming more sustainable.
The study was supported by several organizations, including the U.S. Office of Naval Research, the U.S. National Science Foundation, SMART, the National Research Foundation of Singapore, and the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office.
