Amir Kabir University Researchers Develop 7 Nano-composites to Mitigate Water Stress in Agriculture

Reza Khosravi Zanjani, a PhD graduate and project lead, explained that the team, under the guidance of Dr. Majid Abdous, Professor of Chemistry at Amir Kabir University, synthesized the nanocomposites to strengthen plants against drought, prevent tree wilting, and address the country’s water scarcity crisis.

He noted that the university’s Chemistry Department has long focused on environmental challenges, including air pollution and dust particles, with the expansion of green spaces being a key priority.

One of the main limitations in developing urban greenery is water scarcity. Khosravi highlighted that 90–93% of Iran’s accessible water is consumed by agriculture, while only 7–10% is allocated for domestic and industrial use. This makes water management in agriculture critical, prompting the department to initiate a project focused on reducing water consumption in agriculture and expanding urban green areas.

The project involved synthesizing polymeric nanocomposites and nano-coatings using various nanoparticles. Khosravi emphasized that the initiative, a collaboration between the Chemistry Department and the Nanotechnology Research Institute at Amir Kabir University, leverages the remarkable potential of nanotechnology, producing results that exceeded expectations.

A key focus of the research was analyzing plant stomata microscopically to understand their structural adaptations. The team discovered that in some plants, such as oleander, stomata are located in deep depressions called stomatal caves, lined with dense hairs that slow airflow. This structure reduces the relative humidity difference between the interior of the leaf and the external environment, minimizing water loss and enhancing drought resistance.

By mimicking this natural mechanism, the researchers created seven polymeric nanocomposites and nano-coatings that replicate the stomatal cave structure, as confirmed by microscopic imaging.

Khosravi stressed that beyond protecting urban greenery and orchards during drought, these innovations could soon expand agricultural production, particularly for cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and rice, offering a promising pathway for sustainable water management in Iranian agriculture.