Climate change is
increasing the severity and length of heat waves.
Heat stress limits crop productivity and can make plants more sensitive
to other biotic and abiotic stresses. New methods for managing heat
stress are needed. Herein, we have developed ∼30 nm diameter
poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)
(PAA-b-PNIPAm) star polymers with varying block ratios
for temperature-programmed release of a model antimicrobial agent
(crystal violet, CV) at plant-relevant pH. Hyperspectral-Enhanced
Dark field Microscopy was used to investigate star polymer–leaf
interactions and route of entrance. The majority of loaded star polymers
entered plant leaves through cuticular and epidermis penetration when
applied with the adjuvant Silwet L-77. Up to 43 wt % of star polymers
(20 μL at 200 mg L–1 polymer concentration)
applied onto tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaves
translocated to other plant compartments (younger and older shoots,
stem, and root) over 3 days. Without Silwet L-77, the star polymers
penetrated the cuticle, but mainly accumulated at the epidermis cell
layer. The degree of the star polymer temperature responsiveness for
CV release in vitro in the range of 20 to 40 °C
depends on pH and the ratio of the PAA to PNIPAm blocks. Temperature-responsive
release of CV was also observed in vivo in tomato
leaves. These results underline the potential for PAA-b-PNIPAm star polymers to provide efficient and temperature-programmed
delivery of cationic agrochemicals into plants for protection against
heat stress.