Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in agricultural technology by developing silk microneedles that can precisely deliver nutrients and chemicals to plants. This innovative technique addresses the inefficiencies of traditional pesticide application methods, where a substantial portion (30% to 50%) of chemicals ends up lost to the air or soil instead of targeting the plants themselves. This research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, presents a potential solution to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices.

The Need for Precision in Agriculture

Benedetto Marelli, a senior author of the study and associate professor at MIT, emphasizes the necessity for efficient agricultural methods. He notes the dual role of agrochemicals; while they are crucial for supporting food systems, their environmental impact and costs necessitate advanced delivery techniques. The collaborative team from MIT and Singapore has responded to this challenge by exploring the intricate designs of microneedles for applications in agriculture.

Development of Silk Microneedles

The researchers created a method to produce large quantities of hollow silk microneedles. This was achieved by combining silk fibroin protein with a saline solution within specialized molds. As the solution evaporated, the silk solidified around the salt, forming a hollow structure. Upon removal of the salt, the microneedles were ready for further application. The simple fabrication process does not require extensive facilities, making it accessible for wider use in agricultural settings.

Key Development Steps Description
Combination of Materials Silk fibroin protein and salt solution were combined in molds.
Formation of Hollow Microneedles Evaporation of water leads to the solidification of silk while crystallizing the salt, creating hollow structures.
Utilization in Agriculture The microneedles can deliver nutrients directly to plants, improving efficacy and reducing waste.

Applications and Benefits

The innovative microneedles have multiple applications:

  • Treatment of Plant Diseases: The researchers demonstrated the microneedles' ability to deliver iron, alleviating conditions such as chlorosis.
  • Nutrient Fortification: The team infused tomato plants with vitamin B12, enhancing their nutritional value.
  • Health Monitoring: Microneedles can monitor the quality of fluids in plants and detect harmful contaminants, such as heavy metals.
“These microneedles could be a tool for plant scientists so they can understand more about plant health and how they grow.” – Benedetto Marelli

Advantages Over Traditional Methods

Traditionally, delivering nutrients to plants can be inefficient and hazardous to the environment. The following table summarizes the advantages of using silk microneedles compared to conventional delivery methods:

Method Advantages Disadvantages
Silk Microneedles Precision delivery, reduced chemical waste, enhanced nutrient uptake, and real-time health monitoring. Requires further development for widespread automation in agriculture.
Traditional Spraying Quick application over large areas. High chemical loss, environmental impact, and potential harm to beneficial organisms.

Future Directions

The researchers envision combining microneedle technology with existing agricultural practices. By integrating this new method with mechanized farming equipment, there is great potential for scaling the approach. Additionally, the implications of this technology extend beyond agriculture into biomedical fields, particularly in transdermal drug delivery systems.

Through continued research, the team aims to optimize these microneedles for a more sustainable agricultural future, addressing the dual challenges of growing food efficiently while protecting the environment. Marelli concludes, “We want to maximize the growth of plants without negatively affecting the health of the farm or the biodiversity of surrounding ecosystems.”

References

[1] Yunteng Cao et al., Nanofabrication of silk microneedles for high-throughput micronutrient delivery and continuous sap monitoring in plants, Nature Nanotechnology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01923-2.

[2] MIT News, "Scientists develop silk microneedles to deliver nutrients and chemicals to plants." Accessed at Phys.org.