Precision Biofertiliser Delivery: Microneedles to Boost Plant Growth
- December 09, 2025
Photo credit: NUS
Delivering biofertiliser via microneedles directly into plant tissues is a promising approach. It bypasses the variability of soil or solution delivery, places microbes where they can colonize quickly, reduces environmental losses, and can promote faster growth with more efficient biofertiliser use.
iHealthtech PI and Presidential Young Professor Andy Tay, and his team have published a new study on this microneedle method. Other potential advantages include:
✅ Precision placement: Locates beneficial microbes (or their metabolites) near target tissues to improve establishment and efficacy.
✅ Lower doses, faster action: Direct delivery can reduce the amount needed and shorten time-to-effect compared to soil applications facing competition and dilution.
✅ Reduced environmental loss: Minimizes wash-off, UV/desiccation from foliar sprays, and sorption to soil particles.
✅ Performance in challenging environments: Applicable to saline/alkaline soils, sterilized substrates, or hydroponics where conventional inoculation can be inconsistent.
Related News:
🌐 NUSnews: NUS scientists create microneedle system to deliver biofertiliser directly into plants, boosting growth with less waste
🌐 Microneedles boost plant growth, delivering biofertilisers directly into plant tissue (YouTube video)
