--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260518-university-of-waterloo-researchers-developed-a-nanotechnology-based-pesticide-spray-that-reduces-runoff-and-enhances-crop-adhesion/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # University of Waterloo researchers developed a nanotechnology-based pesticide spray that reduces runoff and enhances crop adhesion Publication Date: 2026-05-18T18:00:00-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-05-18T04:41:32-04:00 Author: Timothy Bueno (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/timbueno/) Categories: [Crop Protection](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/crop-protection/), [AgTech & Research](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/agtech-and-research/) ![Agriculture worker. Young farmer spraying pesticides. Taking care about vineyard.](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/agriculture-worker-young-farmer-spraying-pesticides-taking-care-about-vineyard-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) A water-based formulation utilizing cellulose nanocrystals demonstrated increased leaf adhesion and improved pest control in initial cabbage field trials, presenting a potential alternative to solvent-based pesticide delivery systems. Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a nanotechnology-based pesticide formulation intended to enhance the adhesion of agricultural sprays to plant leaves, thereby reducing chemical waste and environmental contamination. The water-based formulation employs modified cellulose nanocrystals to stabilize pesticide droplets, enabling them to adhere to hydrophobic leaf surfaces even during exposure to rain and wind. The research team reports that this technology reduces splash, rebound, and runoff, which are common with conventional pesticide spraying systems. Initial field trials on cabbage crops, conducted in collaboration with an industrial partner in Singapore, demonstrated enhanced pest control performance while utilizing reduced quantities of pesticide. [![](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gif-new-balanced-1778520300584.gif)](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/gif-new-balanced-1778520300584.gif)Animated sequence shows that a new formulation (right) developed by researchers at Waterloo can significantly improve the adhesion of water droplets to various hydrophobic and superhydrophobic plant leaves. Image Credits: University of Waterloo Dr. Michael Tam, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Waterloo, stated that the formulation substitutes solvent-heavy delivery systems with a primarily water-based dispersion. According to the researchers, high-speed imaging confirmed that droplets formed a thin, pancake-shaped film upon impact, rather than fragmenting or bouncing off leaves. The stabilization process is based on nanostructured cellulose crystals combined with inorganic and metallic nanoparticles. The study, titled “Self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals for splash suppression and enhanced pesticide delivery on hydrophobic surfaces,” was recently published in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science and ACS Nano. The research team is currently seeking commercial partners to scale and commercialize the technology. Sources: [University of Waterloo](https://uwaterloo.ca/news/media/sticky-solution-pesky-agricultural-problem?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [Journal of Colloid and Interface Science study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002197972502956X?getft_integrator=scopus&pes=vor&utm_source=chatgpt.com) Tags: [pesticide](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/pesticide/), [pesticide application](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/pesticide-application/), [research](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/research/), [study](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/study/), [University of Waterloo](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/university-of-waterloo/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.