Boon for farmers
BENGALURU
Farmers often face a major challenge when spraying pesticides—most of the liquid never stays on the leaves. Because plant surfaces are naturally waxy and water-repellent, water droplets tend to roll away or bounce off, reducing the pesticide’s effectiveness and contaminating soil and water sources.
Now, a team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has found an innovative way to make pesticide sprays stick better using what they call “liquid marbles” (LMs) — tiny water droplets coated with a layer of hydrophobic particles. This coating prevents evaporation and makes the droplets spread rather than bounce off leaf surfaces.
The idea of liquid marbles was originally developed for laboratory use in chemical and biochemical experiments. But researchers from IISc’s Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), led by Prof. Prosenjit Sen and Rutvik Lathia, a former PhD student now at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, saw its potential in agriculture.
“Nearly 50% of pesticides are wasted because the droplets don’t stick to leaves. Our method allows more of the pesticide to remain on the plant,” said Lathia.
To create liquid marbles, the team rolled water droplets over beds of hydrophobic particles. While early trials with materials like glass beads and Teflon worked, they proved harmful to plants. The scientists then turned to biodegradable, organic alternatives such as lycopodium (a plant-based powder) and zein, a corn-derived protein.
Tests on rose leaves coated with Teflon—to simulate waxy plant surfaces—showed that the LMs adhered better and lost more energy on impact compared to ordinary droplets.
The breakthrough could help farmers cut costs, reduce chemical waste, and improve crop protection, marking a significant step in sustainable agriculture.
