Hydrogel Embedding Enables Enhanced Leaf Deposition and Bioavailability of Fe-Based Engineered Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) show promise for improving crop yields in sustainable agriculture.
• Foliar spraying of ENPs can lead to droplet fragmentation and environmental contamination, reducing targeting accuracy.
• Effective delivery of ENPs is crucial for maximizing their benefits in agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for enhancing the deposition and bioavailability of Fe-based ENPs on plant leaves.
• To investigate the role of supramolecular hydrogels in improving ENP delivery via foliar application.
• To assess the impact of hydrogel embedding on ENP uptake, application amount, and crop yield.

Main Methods:

• Embedding Fe-based ENPs into a supramolecular hydrogel.
• Evaluating droplet deposition on soybean leaves using foliar spraying.
• Utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze droplet behavior.
• Measuring ENP uptake, plant fresh weight, and application amount.

Main Results:

• Hydrogel droplets demonstrated significantly enhanced deposition (up to 168.9%) compared to ENP suspensions.
• CFD analysis indicated contact angle is critical, with a 15% reduction lowering bouncing height by 14%.
• Hydrogel embedding increased ENP uptake 1.5-fold, reduced ENP application by 80%, and boosted soybean fresh weight by 28%.

Conclusions:

• Supramolecular hydrogels effectively improve ENP deposition and bioavailability for foliar application.
• This approach enhances agricultural efficiency by increasing crop yield and reducing environmental risks.
• Hydrogel-based ENP delivery offers a sustainable solution for precision agriculture.