Biodegradable, ‘Graph Theory–Inspired’ Lubricant Could Cut Farm Contamination and Keep Seeds Flowing in Wet Weather

Biodegradable solid lubricant aims to reduce contamination and improve sowing

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a biodegradable, cellulose-derived solid lubricant designed for agricultural seed-dispensing equipment. Reported in the journal Matter, the new material is intended to replace conventional lubricants that often contain toxic additives such as heavy metals and microplastics, which can contaminate soil, water and air.

Moisture resistance and better seed flow. The research team engineered a modified cellulose lubricant that withstands higher moisture and elevated humidity. In testing, the material repelled water and prevented seeds from sticking together, reducing clogs in sowing machinery and helping farmers plant reliably in damp conditions.

"Lubricants are essential to modern farming, but existing approaches are contributing to toxicity in our farmlands that affect farmer health, soil health, and pollinators that are essential to our food supply," said Dhanush Udayashankara Jamadgni, a co-author and Ph.D. student at NC State. "We've developed a new class of safe solid lubricants that are effective and nontoxic."

Reduced seed-coating loss and lower airborne contamination. An unexpected advantage of the cellulose-based lubricant was a large reduction in scraping of thin nutrient and pesticide coatings applied to commercial seeds. Conventional lubricants can remove part of these coatings during planting and send them into planter exhaust, creating a toxic plume that risks pollinators, birds and farm workers. According to the study, the cellulose-derived lubricant dramatically reduced this coating loss.

Graph-based model to accelerate discovery. Beyond the material itself, the team created an analytical tool that uses graph-based mathematical techniques to define a parameter space for solid lubricants. That model helps simplify a complex system and can speed the identification of promising lubricant candidates for agricultural and other applications, the researchers said.

Implications and next steps. By reducing toxic additives and limiting airborne loss of seed coatings, this approach could lower environmental contamination and exposure risks while improving planting reliability in humid conditions. The research signals a practical step toward safer, more sustainable farm inputs; further field trials and scale-up work will be needed before widespread commercial adoption.