Green and smart pesticides with on-demand release and improved foliage adhesion

Overview

This solution offers an eco-friendly pesticide delivery system that uses metal-phenolic network (MPN) coatings on starch hydrogel carriers to achieve smart, on-demand pesticide release and improved adhesion to crop foliage. Designed for sustainable agriculture, the technology addresses two persistent challenges in crop protection: uncontrolled pesticide loss and poor retention on plant surfaces. By releasing active ingredients in response to pH changes triggered by plant stress, the formulation improves pesticide utilization efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The coatings are derived from low-toxicity, nutritive metal ions and polyphenol compounds, making the system both functional and environmentally responsible.

Technical specifications

• MPN self-assembly coating: Supramolecular coordination structures formed from metal ions (e.g., Fe, Ca) and phenolic compounds (e.g., tannic acid, gallic acid) that self-assemble onto starch hydrogel particles loaded with pesticide.
• pH-responsive release: MPN coatings disassemble under low pH conditions associated with crop or plant environmental stress, enabling on-demand pesticide release exactly when plants need protection.
• Enhanced foliar retention: Hydrogen bonding interactions between phenolic compounds and foliage surfaces increase pesticide adhesion, extending retention time and improving utilization efficiency.
• Eco-friendly and nutritive materials: All coating components are selected for low toxicity and added nutritional value, aligning with green agriculture objectives.
• Validated analytical methods: Performance evaluated using HPLC-MS quantification and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging for real-time, in situ monitoring of pesticide release and penetration on crops.

Technology readiness level

The technology is at an advanced research and proof-of-concept stage. The principal investigator has prior industry collaboration experience with BASF on pH-responsive pesticide formulations and SERS-based evaluation methods. Current lab work has already demonstrated that MPN coatings can increase pesticide foliage retention time. The proposed 8-month project will fabricate starch hydrogel pesticide carriers, optimize MPN coating compositions, and validate pH-responsive release and foliar adhesion performance on crops using established analytical techniques. The solution is positioned for partnership with agrochemical companies interested in next-generation sustainable pesticide formulations.