UC San Diego Engineers Unveil Spray-On Polymer Coating to Protect Plants

New plant-safe polymer spray shields crops from bacterial infections and drought

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:27am

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An abstract painting in soft green and blue tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific forces behind a plant-safe antibacterial coating.A revolutionary spray-on polymer coating could help plants shrug off deadly bacterial infections and thrive through relentless droughts, potentially transforming global agriculture.San Diego Today

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a revolutionary spray-on polymer coating that can protect plants from devastating bacterial diseases and drought conditions. The innovative coating, made from a custom synthetic polymer, is designed to be gentle on plants while packing an antibacterial punch that neutralizes a broad spectrum of harmful microbes. Remarkably, the coating can provide whole-plant immunity even when only partially applied, potentially signaling a systemic plant defense response.

Why it matters

With escalating environmental challenges fueling the spread of plant diseases and droughts, this breakthrough could be a game-changer for global food security. Traditional methods are struggling to keep up, making this spray-on solution a promising tool to safeguard crops and bolster agricultural resilience. However, the unexpected findings around partial coverage and potential long-term impacts on plant behavior raise important questions about unintended consequences that will need to be carefully explored.

The details

The coating was developed by a collaborative team led by professors Jon Pokorski and Nicole Steinmetz from the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering, along with the UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC). They crafted the antibacterial coating using a custom synthetic polynorbornene polymer that is packed with positively charged chemical components to disrupt bacterial cell membranes. Crucially, the team developed a water-based synthesis process to ensure the coating is plant-compatible, unlike traditional polymers made with harsh organic solvents.

  • The coating was detailed in a study published in ACS Materials Letters on December 18, 2025.
  • The research team is now working to further improve the coating's biodegradability and assess its safety for real-world farm use.

The players

Jon Pokorski

Professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering, and co-leader of the research team.

Nicole Steinmetz

Professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering, and co-leader of the research team.

Luis Palomino

Chemical and nano engineering Ph.D. candidate in Pokorski's lab and co-first author of the study.

Patrick Opdensteinen

Postdoctoral researcher in Steinmetz's lab and co-first author of the study.

UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

The research center that provided key backing for this project.

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What they’re saying

“Usually, polymers get made with harsh organic solvents harmful to plants. Our twist? We synthesized it in watery buffer solutions, resulting in a plant-compatible spray. Just mix the polymer in water at the perfect strength and mist it on – easy and eco-friendly.”

— Luis Palomino, Chemical and nano engineering Ph.D. candidate

“Even spraying just a fraction of the leaf conferred immunity to the entire plant. That was an exhilarating find!”

— Patrick Opdensteinen, Postdoctoral researcher

“We're excited about field applications to aid agriculture – this is just the beginning. The possibilities for safeguarding plants are immense.”

— Patrick Opdensteinen, Postdoctoral researcher

What’s next

The research team is digging deeper into the mechanics of the bacterial and drought protection provided by the coating, aiming to boost its biodegradability and assess its safety for real-world farm use.

The takeaway

This spray-on polymer coating represents a promising breakthrough in the fight against crop diseases and drought, with the potential to transform global agriculture. However, the unexpected findings around partial coverage and potential long-term impacts on plant behavior raise important questions that will need to be carefully explored to ensure this innovation has no unintended consequences.