L.ICB.2501 - Nanosoils - Proof of Concept in Pasture
Nanotechnology can help seeds grow faster and improve their overall growth.
| Project start date: | 20 September 2024 |
| Project end date: | 10 October 2025 |
| Publication date: | 25 September 2025 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia, Northern Australia, National, NSW, Western Australia, Victoria, Cold wet, South Australia, Dry, Queensland, Mediterranean, Tropical warm season wet, Northern Territory, Sub-tropical moist, Tasmania, Sub-tropical sub-humid, Eastern Australia, Temperate, Temperate sub-humid, Tropical Moist, International, Tropical wet |
Summary
With the onset of climate change, many seeds that were once used by farmers are now not persisting due to hotter and drier weather. The seeds are found to be slower to germinate and get established which significantly affects pasture and the meat and livestock industry. The objective of this project is to boost the seed germination and establishment for pasture using nanotechnology. The trials focus on slow germination seeds and the seeds that deteriorate fast. The nanoparticles were applied as a seed coating and also via foliar application. The proof of concept in pasture shows that the nanoparticles coated on seeds increase the germination percentage and increase biomass.
Objectives
The aims/objectives:
• optimise the nanoparticle formulation to be used for slowly established pasture seeds
• test effectiveness of the nanoparticles on seed germination
• explore other potential applications of the nanoparticles: foliar application.
Key findings
The proof-of-concept of nanoparticles on pasture show that the nanoparticles coated on seeds increased the germination and biomass.
Benefits to industry
The nanoparticles have been designed for the pastural seed industry.
Most of the seeds are often coated with agrochemicals (fertiliser and pesticide) and biofertilisers (bacterial and/or fungal inoculants). Coating with agrochemicals cause seed stress. Most fertilisers are salts. Too much fertiliser near the seeds can cause burn and prevent the seeds from absorbing water by osmosis. Also, fertilisers damage the inoculant coated on seeds.
NanoSoils has developed and patented the nanoparticles that could address these challenges for seed industry. The nanoparticles work as an interface between fertilisers and seed to relieve the stress of fertilisers on germinating seeds to unlock seed potential under climate stress.
MLA action
Future research as above.
Future research
Future research MLA and Nanosoils are exploring including expanding the applications of our nanoparticles and encapsulating the nanoparticles with active ingredients to offer multiple values to address practical problems.
More information
| Project manager: | Joshua Whelan |
| Contact email: | Reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Nanosoils Bio Pty Ltd |
