Asst. Prof. Tedrick Lew’s Latest Breakthrough in Sustainable Agriculture

Upon simple spraying, this new type of nanoparticles can precisely target the stomata – the key entry points for most plant pathogens - to stop bacterial entry into the leaf tissues. These nanoparticles are composed of zinc — an essential plant micronutrient — making them both effective and environmentally friendly.

In contrast to conventional chemical pesticides that can build up in the environment, these zinc-based nanoparticles degrade naturally and leave minimal ecological footprint. The research shows that they can release the loaded agrochemicals at the stomata and substantially reduce bacterial infections in crops, all while avoiding the toxic side effects of conventional treatments.

This research marks a paradigm shift from simply monitoring plant health to proactively enhancing plant resilience through the use of safe and sustainable nanomaterials. It also builds on Asst. Prof. Lew’s earlier work in nanosensing technologies, previously featured in our article:

Nanosensors Breakthrough for Food and Health – An Interview with Asst Prof Tedrick Lew (https://www.nus.edu.sg/neri/news/featured/nanosensors-breakthrough-for-food-and-health-an-interview-with-asst-prof-tedrick-lew/)

Together, these innovations embody NERI’s vision of leveraging nanotechnology and biotechnology to drive sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.