University research creates greener pesticide delivery with better leaf adhesion
Delivering pesticides effectively to crops is a long-standing challenge in agriculture. Traditional spraying methods often cause droplets to bounce off leaves drift away in the air or wash into soil and water bodies. This leads to wasted chemicals with higher costs and environmental harm.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new water-based formulation using nanotechnology that offers a cleaner and more effective solution. The innovation focuses on improving how pesticide droplets stick to plant leaves even during wind and rain. By improving adhesion the formulation reduces runoff splash and chemical loss.
“With our new formulation, the pesticide is dispersed in water,” said Dr. Michael Tam, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo. “We are spraying water, not solvent, making this approach well aligned with sustainable agriculture goals.”
Early field trials were conducted on cabbage crops with an industrial partner in Singapore. During these trials, the new formulation performed better than conventional systems that rely on chemical solvents. Farmers achieved stronger pest control while using less pesticide, showing clear economic and environmental benefits.
The key to the innovation lies in tiny particles known as cellulose nanocrystals or CNCs. These particles were carefully modified to create a nanostructured surface that strengthens pesticide droplets without the use of harmful chemicals or solvents. The CNCs used in the formulation are carbon neutral and made from water pesticides and small inorganic and metallic nanoparticles.
High speed imaging showed that droplets created with this formulation do not splash or break apart when they hit leaf surfaces. Instead, they flatten gently into a thin film that sticks firmly to the leaf. This behavior continues even during rain or strong airflow, which is a major advantage over existing spray technologies.
“This unique nanostructure significantly enhances droplet strength, suppressing droplet splash during the impact process,” said Tam, noting high-speed imaging confirmed their effectiveness.
According to researchers, the approach aligns well with sustainable agriculture goals because it replaces chemical solvents with water. Using fewer chemicals also helps protect soil wildlife and nearby water sources while maintaining effective crop protection.
The research team is now looking for industrial partners to help scale and commercialize the technology. The study detailing this work was recently published in leading scientific journals, including the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science and ACS Nano.
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