Technology Showcase

Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanoparticles: Making Plants More Drought-Resilient

October 16, 2025

Solution

Biodegradable nitric oxide (NO)-releasing nanoparticles that strengthen seeds and seedlings, enhancing their resistance to drought.

What is the technological basis of this solution?

The technology is based on biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles that gradually release nitric oxide (NO). When applied to seeds or seedlings, these nanoparticles improve vigor and germination, reinforcing plant growth and tolerance to climatic stress.

Nitric oxide is a key signaling molecule in plants, involved in processes such as germination, root development, and responses to environmental stress. By encapsulating NO-donor molecules at the nanoscale, the gas no longer dissipates quickly into the environment and is instead released locally and over time. This sustained release promotes greater physiological efficiency — from the seed stage through field establishment.

The formulation was developed and validated by research teams at State University of Londrina (UEL), led by Prof. Halley Caixeta, in collaboration with Prof. Amedea Seabra’s group at the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), both members of the INCT NanoAgro network.

What is innovative about it?

The innovation lies in integrating nanotechnology and plant physiology. The nanoparticles act as micro-reservoirs that protect and deliver NO precisely where and when the plant needs it. This gradual release ensures that seed treatment continues to benefit the plant after germination — a result not achieved with conventional priming methods.

In field trials with soybean, seeds treated with NO-releasing nanoparticles showed higher emergence rates, more developed roots, and increased nodulation, indicating greater nitrogen-use efficiency and resilience under water-stress conditions.

What problem does this technology address?

Drought is one of the main causes of agricultural losses in Brazil. A 2024 study showed that between 1973 and 2023, droughts accounted for 11.65% of soybean yield losses, equivalent to 280 million tons of unharvested grain.

During the 2024/25 season, a new drought in Rio Grande do Sul reduced soybean production by 3 million tons (AgRural). Losses related to drought in 2024 alone reached R$1.5 billion in the agricultural sector.

In this scenario, technologies that increase plant tolerance to water stress are essential — and that is precisely where the NO-releasing nanoparticles developed by INCT NanoAgro come into play.

Who could benefit from this solution?

The technology has two main application routes in agribusiness:

Seed Priming: For seed companies, cooperatives, and producers seeking improved initial vigor and drought resistance. It can be integrated into industrial seed treatment lines or commercial agricultural biotechnology formulations.
Bioinputs for Furrow Application: Suitable for crops such as soybean, corn, and wheat, where early seedling establishment is critical to field performance.

This innovation is of particular interest to seed companies and cooperatives aiming to enhance plant vigor under drought conditions, as well as to bioinput and ag-biotech industries developing sustainable crop management solutions. It can also attract R&D laboratories and universities focused on green technologies and the controlled release of bioactive molecules.

What is the market potential?

The potential application field is broad and expanding.

The global seed treatment market is projected to grow from US$15.11 billion (2024) to US$38.88 billion by 2032, at a 12.5% CAGR (Fortune Business Insights). 12,5% (Fortune Business Insights).
In Brazil alone, he soybean seed market generates R$33.6 billion per harvest (ABRASS) — a direct opportunity for applying NO-releasing nanoparticles in seed priming .
Meanwhile, the bioinput segment has been expanding by over 20% annually, reaching R$5 billion in sales in the 2023/24 season (CropLife Brasil), with more than 660 registered products at the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA)— reflecting a favorable regulatory environment for biological and nanotechnological innovations.

These indicators position NO nanotechnology as a a dual-market opportunityapplicable to both seed treatment and bioinputs for furrow application, two strategic innovation vectors for sustainable agriculture.

What are the key differentiators of the technology?

The technology is versatile, suitable for both seed and furrow applications, and uses biodegradable, non-toxic materials. Built upon over a decade of research in plant physiology and nanotechnology, it has demonstrated proven gains in germination, vigor, and nodulation, leading to improved performance and drought resistance.

The research is currently in the scaling-up phase, adapting the formulation to industrial processes and expanding its potential for large-scale field applications.

“The idea is to ensure that NO reaches plant cells more effectively and is released gradually, securing the desired physiological benefits,” explains Prof. Halley Caixeta, project coordinator at UEL.

What is its technology readiness level?

The technology is currently at TRL 6 — validated in relevant environments, com testes realizados em campo experimental e comprovação dos efeitos fisiológicos e agronômicos em culturas comerciais como a soja, milho e trigo.