#Singapore #NUS #microneedles #Biofertiliser

Innovative Microneedle Delivery System from NUS

In an exciting development from the National University of Singapore (NUS), a team of researchers has introduced a groundbreaking microneedle patch system designed to deliver living biofertiliser directly into plant tissues. This innovative approach promises to enhance plant growth while significantly reducing the amount of fertiliser required, potentially revolutionizing agricultural practices.

The Science Behind Microneedles

Biofertilisers, which are rich in beneficial microbes such as bacteria and fungi, traditionally have been applied to soil. However, once in the soil, they often compete with native microorganisms and struggle to survive under various environmental conditions, resulting in low effectiveness. The NUS team’s solution involves dissolving microneedle patches that implant beneficial microbes directly into plant leaves or stems, ensuring they reach roots more effectively and is less impacted by soil conditions.

Assistant Professor Andy Tay, who led the research, explained that this method was inspired by microbial migration within the human body. By injecting microbes straight into the plant’s tissues, they can travel down to the roots while bypassing common soil-related challenges.

Effective and Efficient Growth

In greenhouse tests, application of these microneedles resulted in significantly improved growth metrics for vegetables like Choy Sum and Kale. Plants exhibited enhanced shoot biomass, increased leaf area, and greater height, all while using over 15% less biofertiliser compared to traditional soil applications. This precision in fertiliser delivery could lead to reduced environmental impacts and wastage, making it particularly beneficial for sustainable urban and vertical farming practices.

The patches, made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) — a biodegradable and cost-effective polymer — hold a carefully arranged array of microneedles. Upon application, these microneedles penetrate the plant tissue and dissolve in about a minute, releasing their microbial contents. Rather than causing harm, studies showed that plants maintained stable chlorophyll levels and quickly returned to normal functional states after using the patches.

Proving the Concept

The team conducted tests with a cocktail of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), including Streptomyces and Agromyces-Bacillus, which proved to be more effective in enhancing plant growth compared to traditional soil treatments. Interestingly, as more microbes were loaded into each patch, plant growth continued to increase up to a certain limit, thereby allowing farmers to determine the minimum effective dose needed, thus further reducing costs and wastage.

Furthermore, the researchers tracked the movement of microbes from the injected leaves to the roots. This migration nurtured a more beneficial root microbiome, enhancing nutrient uptake efficiency and promoting healthier plant growth. Observations indicated that plants developed greater antioxidant capacities, showcasing their improved resilience against environmental stressors.

Future Applications

Beyond its current applications in vegetables, the research team is exploring the scalability of their microneedle technology, particularly in the context of large-scale automation and robotics within agricultural systems. Future tests aim to extend the benefits of this delivery method to a wider range of crops, including strawberries and high-value medicinal herbs. Asst. Prof. Tay emphasized the goal of integrating this technology into automated farming systems, which could further optimize the farming process and enhance productivity.

This pioneering research highlights the potential for microneedle-based biofertiliser systems to transform agricultural practices, promising improved sustainability and efficiency in food production. The full study was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

For more details about this innovative approach, visit the official NUS news website.