Post by Murdoch University

A drying climate is one of the biggest challenges facing WA's broadacre farmers. So, our researchers asked a simple question: how do we help them make the most of every drop of rain that falls? The answer might be SMART SPRAYS, a biodegradable spray developed at our Bioplastics Innovation Hub that helps soil capture rainwater before it's lost to evaporation, channelling it down to where crop seeds need it most. It's made from a polymer derived from naturally occurring bacteria, so nothing synthetic is left behind in the soil. No microplastics. No chemical additives. Just nature's own properties put to work. Winter rainfall in the Wheatbelt has dropped by nearly 20% over the past 25 years, and WA grows around 45% of Australia's wheat. Helping farmers hold on to more of that rain could make a real difference to yields, and to the food security and livelihoods of regional communities. Having demonstrated the concept on WA farms with growers, our team is now working with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to develop a commercially viable product. Our thanks to the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration, and the growers who've backed this work. See how it works: https://lnkd.in/deZHsKdd

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