Microneedle-assisted molecular delivery in plants

Traditional agricultural delivery methods, such as foliar spray and soil application, suffer from low uptake efficiency, environmental contamination, and short-term effects, whereas nanoparticle-mediated delivery platforms face issues of stability, cytotoxicity, and regulatory concerns. Recently, microneedle (MN) technology has emerged as a promising alternative for precise, minimally invasive delivery of agrochemicals and biomolecules. In this opinion article, we explore the evolution of MN-based delivery systems in agriculture. We discuss the structure-function relationships of MNs (solid, hollow, dissolving, and coated MNs) and highlight their applications in nutrient delivery, pathogen control, and genome editing for plants. We conclude with challenges and future directions for integrating MNs into precision agriculture to improve crop productivity, sustainability, and genetic manipulation.