Nanoencapsulated plant hormones and growth factors for enhanced crop development

Overview

This solution leverages nanoencapsulation technology to deliver plant hormones, growth factors, and stimulants through natural polymeric nanoparticles. By protecting active ingredients and enabling controlled release at the seed or root level, the technology aims to enhance root development, improve nutrient uptake from soil, and increase root colonization by beneficial microorganisms. The approach also supports plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stressors, contributing to improved food production.

The research team is developing nanoformulations designed for seed priming applications, targeting major crops including soya, corn, and tomatoes. The technology builds on existing expertise in nanoparticle development for pest and disease control, extending the application space into plant growth promotion and stress mitigation.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• Nanoformulations based on natural polymeric materials encapsulating plant hormones, growth promoters, and stimulants
• Designed for seed priming treatments to improve germination and early-stage development
• Multiple active ingredient combinations and nanoparticle compositions under investigation

Research and validation approach:

• Pot-based experiments to evaluate efficacy under different biotic and abiotic stress conditions
• Planned progression to field-condition studies based on initial results
• Characterization of nanomaterials and seed interactions using fluorescence microscopy, SEM, and complementary techniques
• Testing across multiple seed types including soya, corn, tomatoes, and others

Available capabilities:

• In-house nanoparticle development and characterization facility
• Laboratory infrastructure for seed treatment studies and plant development monitoring
• Expertise in natural hormone-based solutions for agricultural applications

Technology readiness level

The technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Nanoformulation concepts have been established based on prior laboratory experience with natural polymeric nanoparticles for agricultural applications. Current work involves controlled pot experiments to validate efficacy under stress conditions, with a planned timeline of approximately one year for initial studies. Future validation includes expanded seed-type testing and progression toward field-condition trials. The team is seeking partners to support materials, consumables, and greenhouse infrastructure to advance the research.