By Jamie Martin
Researchers from MIT and Singapore have developed silk-based microneedles that can deliver nutrients and monitor plant health more efficiently. Their new technique allows these microneedles to be made quickly and affordably, making them ideal for large-scale agricultural use.
In traditional farming, much of the sprayed agrochemicals are wasted, harming the soil and air. These new hollow microneedles are designed to deliver vitamins and chemicals directly into the plant, minimizing waste and improving precision.
The microneedles were tested on tomato plants to treat chlorosis, a disease caused by iron deficiency. They also successfully delivered vitamin B12—usually found in animal products—into the growing tomatoes, increasing their nutritional value.
Researchers believe this innovation can be used to enhance crop resilience, reduce environmental damage, and monitor plant health in real time. In tests, the microneedles quickly detected cadmium, a harmful metal often found in farm soil near industrial areas.
"It’s a pretty simple fabrication process. It can be done outside of a clean room — you could do it in your kitchen if you wanted,” said one of the researchers.
Made from silk fibroin protein, the microneedles form hollow shapes when combined with salt and water. After drying, the salt is removed, leaving behind tiny, functional channels for nutrient delivery.
Beyond nutrients, these microneedles could also be used to collect plant fluids and track stress responses. Unlike current detection tools that often give delayed results, this method provides real-time monitoring, helping prevent crop damage early.
The team envisions these microneedles being used with farming robots for broader field applications. They also see potential use in biomedical fields, such as drug delivery and health tracking.
Funded by U.S. and Singapore agencies, this breakthrough offers a step toward more sustainable and productive farming practices around the world.
Photo Credit - gettyimages-0shut0
Categories: National