The foliar application of agrochemicals is one of the foundations of modern farming, essential for crop health and maximizing yields. However, this method’s efficiency is often compromised by an inherent barrier posed by the leaf itself.
Transforming crop health and sustainability with laser-powered technology
White Paper from | Onteko
Addressing the challenges of modern agriculture
The demands of feeding a growing global population present the agricultural sector with any number of problems. Chief among them is the sustainability of the agricultural processes needed to meet this global demand. Given the need for environmentally friendly agriculture, Onteko has developed Foliar Laser Boost, a pioneering laser-based technology designed to transform foliar agrochemical applications.
Chemicals designed to improve plant growth are typically sprayed onto the crop’s leaves. Our innovation precisely and selectively removes the leaf's cuticle—a natural barrier to chemical absorption [1]—significantly improving the plant’s uptake of essential nutrients, pesticides, and biostimulants. In this white paper, we’ll explore scientific principles, empirical validation, and practical implications of our Foliar Laser Boost system, demonstrating its potential to steer agricultural processes toward greater sustainability and improved economic viability.
Understanding the problem
The foliar application of agrochemicals is one of the foundations of modern farming, essential for crop health and maximizing yields. However, this method’s efficiency is often compromised by an inherent barrier posed by the leaf itself, in the form of its cuticle—a waxy layer that restricts the penetration of externally applied substances. This barrier, compounded by the limited stomatal area available for absorption, results in substantial chemical losses and raises major environmental concerns [2].
Traditional approaches, such as surfactants, direct injection, and nanoformulations, offer partial solutions but present significant drawbacks, including environmental risks, labor intensity, and potential mechanical harm to plants [3].
Surfactants, while effective in improving the spreading and penetration of agrochemicals, can cause phytotoxicity and significant environmental risks.
Direct injection, though bypassing the cuticle barrier, is invasive and also labor-intensive, and can cause fundamental damage to plants.
Nanoformulations, while promising for enhanced delivery, raise concerns about long-term ecological effects and face regulatory hurdles [4].
A new way forward with Onteko
Onteko's patented laser technology improves agrochemical efficiency by selectively removing the leaf's waxy cuticle—the leaf’s natural absorption barrier. Using a precise 532nm laser, our Foliar Laser Boost system opens pathways for nutrients, pesticides, and biostimulants to penetrate deeper, without harming the plant. Our method significantly increases uptake compared to traditional techniques, reducing chemical waste and improving crop health [5].
Offering a sustainable and cost-effective agricultural solution, our patented technology delivers the agricultural sector a wide range of advantages.
Superior efficiency: Compared to traditional methods, our technology significantly improves the use of applied substances, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.
Environmental sustainability: Unlike chemical-based penetration enhancers, our solution does not introduce additional compounds into the environment, promoting cleaner and safer agricultural practices.
Plant safety and non-invasiveness: Our method selectively removes the cuticle without damaging the epidermis, for better plant health and vitality.
Cost-effectiveness: In optimizing agrochemical absorption, our technology reduces the amount of pesticides and fertilizers required, lowering costs for farmers.
Versatility: Our technology can be adapted for various crops and applications, from pest control to nutrient delivery, offering broad applicability.
Scalability and field readiness: Designed for real-world agricultural conditions, our method is scalable and easy to implement, requiring minimal specialized labor.
Alignment with precision agriculture: Our innovation aligns with the future of agriculture, integrating advanced laser technology into sustainable and high-efficiency farming practices.
Perhaps most importantly, our Foliar Laser Boost’s effectiveness has been scientifically validated. Through fluorescence imaging and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), we have demonstrated significantly improved agrochemical uptake, providing measurable and repeatable results.
The scientific foundation behind our technology
Onteko's technology uses a 532nm wavelength Nd:YAG laser to selectively ablate the leaf cuticle. This method makes use of green leaves’ optical properties, enabling precise control of energy density to remove the cuticle without damaging the underlying epidermis.
The 532nm wavelength is key to the process as it allows for precise control and minimal collateral damage. The laser’s pulse duration and fluence are carefully controlled to achieve the desired ablation, a central factor in the technology's success.
Figure 1: Light Interaction with Leaf Structure and Experimental Validation
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Figure 1 illustrates the optical properties of citrus leaves, and highlights the rationale for using a 532nm laser. This wavelength minimizes internal leaf damage and optimizes selective wax ablation within the green spectral region.
The mechanism behind this selective ablation involves the precise delivery of laser energy to the cuticle, causing it to vaporize while leaving the underlying epidermis intact. This is achieved through careful control of laser parameters, making sure the energy is absorbed by the cuticle and not the underlying tissue. The process is highly selective, ensuring minimal collateral damage to the plant. Further to this, the laser’s short pulse duration minimizes thermal diffusion, reducing the risk of heat-related damage to the underlying plant tissue [6].
Rigorous testing demonstrating efficacy
To empirically demonstrate how laser-mediated cuticle ablation helps the penetration and systemic transport of foliar-applied substances, we conducted an analysis using a fluorescent glucose analog, NBDG. This allowed real-time visualization and quantification of substance diffusion within leaf tissues.
Laser-treated leaf samples were subjected to NBDG application, and subsequent fluorescence imaging was performed at discrete time intervals: immediately post-application, 10 minutes later, and 2 hours later. A control group, comprising untreated leaves, was concurrently analyzed to establish a baseline for comparative assessment.
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Evolution of fluorescent glucose propagation inside the leaf. a) At the moment of glucose application, b) after 10 minutes, and c) after 2 hours. On the right, a leaf is shown where glucose was applied without prior laser treatment.
In the control samples, the presence of an intact cuticular wax layer effectively impeded the diffusion of NBDG, resulting in negligible propagation. This highlights the inherent limitations of conventional foliar application methods, where cuticular barriers significantly diminish substance uptake and prolong surface exposure, increasing evaporative losses.
Conversely, laser-treated samples exhibited a marked enhancement in NBDG diffusion. Within a two-hour period, the fluorescent tracer permeated the entirety of the leaf lamina, indicating efficient and rapid systemic transport.
The laser treatment, performed at a fluence of 1.42 J/cm², effectively disrupted the cuticular barrier without inducing discernible damage to underlying epidermal tissues. The observed increase in NBDG diffusion aligns with established scientific literature, which demonstrates that cuticular wax removal significantly improves membrane permeability.
Increasing nutrient uptake
To quantify the impact of laser treatment on nutrient absorption, we used Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), a technique that reveals the elemental composition of materials. Leaf samples, treated with foliar zinc fertilizer, were analyzed to confirm fertilizer penetration under varying conditions. A laser pulse was directed at each leaf, generating a localized plasma, and the resulting light emissions were captured to create a unique spectral fingerprint.
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LIBS spectra of leaf samples under different treatment conditions. The control sample (green) represents the natural elemental composition of the leaf. The non-treated sample (red) corresponds to foliar fertilizer application without laser treatment, while the laser-treated sample (blue) shows the effect of fertilizer application on a laser-treated area, demonstrating enhanced uptake.
The LIBS spectra clearly showed a major increase in zinc detection in laser-treated leaves. Specifically, characteristic zinc peaks, indicative of successful fertilizer penetration, were exclusively observed in these samples. In contrast, control and non-treated leaves showed minimal zinc signals, highlighting the limitations of standard foliar application.
A more sustainable future for global agriculture
Our research demonstrates a clear pathway towards a more sustainable future for global agriculture. In employing a precisely calibrated 532nm laser, we have developed a technique that gently and effectively removes the leaf's waxy cuticle, a natural barrier to absorption, without compromising the integrity of the underlying tissue [7]. This targeted approach significantly improves the plant's capacity to absorb foliar-applied substances, creating an optimal environment for agrochemical uptake while minimizing harm to the plant itself.
The implications of Foliar Laser Boost extend beyond increased absorption rates. In optimizing the delivery of essential nutrients and protective agents, we can reduce the overall reliance on chemical inputs, thereby mitigating environmental impact and creating a more ecologically sound agricultural system. This reduction in chemical usage translates to diminished runoff, decreased soil contamination, and a far healthier environment.
Partner with Onteko
Given Foliar Laser Boost’s remarkable potential to transform modern farming practices on a global scale, Onteko Inc. has patented the technology. Further to this, we are continuing to explore the long-term physiological effects of laser treatment on plant health, refining laser parameters for diverse crop species, and developing scalable solutions for large-scale precision farming applications.
We extend an invitation to farmers, investors, researchers, and industry professionals to collaborate with us in driving the adoption of this transformative technology. Through forging strategic partnerships and pursuing meaningful collaborations, we can collectively accelerate the transition towards a more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector.
To find out more about Onteko and our Foliar Laser Boost system, you can contact us here.
References
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102, 2019.
[3] I. Ojo, Y. Ampatzidis, A. de O. C. Neto, and O. Batuman, “Development of an
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Biosyst. Eng., vol. 240, pp. 90–99, 2024.
[4] E. Etxeberria, P. Gonzalez, P. Bhattacharya, P. Sharma, and P. C. Ke, “Determining
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[5] E. Etxeberria, P. Gonzalez, A. Fanton Borges, and C. Brodersen, “The use of laser
light to enhance the uptake of foliar‐applied substances into citrus (Citrus sinensis)
leaves,” Appl. Plant Sci., vol. 4, no. 1, p. 1500106, 2016.
[6] L. P. Cabrera, E. Etxeberria, P. Gonzalez, and T. F. Reyes, “Use of non-intrusive laser
exfoliation to improve substance uptake into citrus leaves,” F1000Research, vol.
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[7] J. Schönherr, “Water permeability of isolated cuticular membranes: the effect
of cuticular waxes on diffusion of water,” Planta, vol. 131, no. 2, pp. 159–164,
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The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AgriTechTomorrow
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