Imagine a world where **farmers can deliver precise doses of nutrients and agrochemicals directly to plants**, minimizing waste and maximizing yield. This futuristic vision is becoming a reality thanks to groundbreaking research from a team at **MIT and Singapore**, who have engineered **tiny silk microneedles** for agricultural applications.
Revolutionizing Precision Agriculture
Currently, when farmers apply pesticides, it’s estimated that **30 to 50% of those chemicals** don’t even reach the target crops, often ending up in the air or soil. However, the **microneedles developed in this study** offer a revolutionary solution. According to a recent publication in Nature Nanotechnology, these hollow silk microneedles can inject vital nutrients and monitor plant health with pinpoint accuracy.
The Need for Efficiency
Benedetto Marelli, a senior author of the study and an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT, emphasizes the **urgent need for efficiency** in agriculture. “Agrochemicals are essential for our food system, but they are also costly and can harm the environment. Hence, precise delivery is crucial,” he explains.
A Collaborative Effort
The study was spearheaded by Yunteng Cao, a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, along with Doyoon Kim, a former postdoc in Marelli’s lab. This research is part of a larger collaboration called the **Disruptive and Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP)** group at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART).
Unlocking Plant Potential
This innovative injection method has shown promise in various applications, including the treatment of **chlorosis**, a disease caused by iron deficiency in plants, and the **fortification of tomatoes with vitamin B12**, enhancing their nutritional profile.
In fact, the **microneedles could also monitor plant sap quality**, allowing for the detection of harmful substances such as heavy metals in the surrounding soil. The potential for **real-time health monitoring** may dramatically advance agricultural practices.
Breaking Down the Technology
So, how do these microneedles work? The researchers have developed a straightforward method to create hollow silk microneedles using a mixture of **silk fibroin protein and salt** in cone-shaped molds. As the water evaporates, the silk solidifies, leaving behind a hollow structure perfect for nutrient delivery.
Kim remarks, “The fabrication process is simple and doesn’t require expensive machinery. It could even be done in your kitchen!” This accessibility aims to democratize innovations in agricultural practices.
Potential Beyond Agriculture
While the focus of the study is on agriculture, the implications of this technology stretch into **biomedical engineering** as well. “This **polymeric microneedle fabrication** technique could significantly benefit research in transdermal drug delivery and health diagnostics,” adds Cao.
A Sustainable Future
Ultimately, Marelli envisions this technology as a way to harmonize agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability. “We aim to boost plant growth without compromising the health of farms or local ecosystems,” he concludes. “The agricultural industry and the environment should **not stand in opposition**; rather, they should work in harmony.”
In summary, the development of silk microneedles represents a **paradigm shift** in how we approach agriculture. Through precise nutrient delivery and real-time monitoring, we could redefine food production and ecological balance.
For more information: 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
Provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology
This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a reputable source for MIT research updates and innovations.
