Andrew Crook remembers the dry spells stretching across his Quarry Farms in Western Australia, where every millimeter of rain feels like liquid gold. Now, a breakthrough spray developed by Murdoch University researchers could transform how farmers like him capture and use that precious water. Known as SMART SPRAYS, this biodegradable polymer solution is designed to help crops survive in a drying climate by redirecting rainfall straight to seed zones and slashing evaporation—a lifeline for an industry under siege from shifting weather patterns. With winter rainfall in WA’s Wheatbelt down 20% over the past 25 years, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Western Australia produces 45% of the nation’s wheat, a cornerstone of Australia’s food security. But climate change is disrupting seasonal rainfall, delivering less in winter—when crops need it most—and more in summer, when it often evaporates before it can be used. For broadacre farmers, the challenge is no longer just growing crops, but rethinking how to harvest every drop. That’s where SMART SPRAYS come in. Developed by the Bioplastics Innovation Hub at Murdoch University, the spray uses a polymer derived from naturally occurring bacteria. Unlike synthetic plastics, it fully breaks down in soil, leaving no microplastics or chemical residues—making it a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic mulches.
The science is elegant: the polymer naturally repels water, forming a temporary barrier that guides rain down soil mounds and into furrows where seeds lie. This simple redirection keeps moisture where it’s needed most. Dr. Cheryl Rimmer, research officer on the project, explains that the goal is to “form a spray to allow the rainwater to roll down the mound into the furrow”—effectively turning the soil itself into a water-harvesting system. PhD student Samantha Viljoen emphasizes the ecological safety: “We are not putting any synthetic plastics into the soil, leaving no lasting legacy.”
Farmers are already on board. The project, backed by the Growers Group Alliance’s South-West WA Drought Resilience Hub, WA Agricultural Research Collaboration, and the Grains Research and Development Corporation, has moved beyond theory. Successful field demonstrations have sparked strong interest from growers eager for practical climate solutions. Tanya Kilminster of the SW WA Hub calls the technology “transformative,” noting that with nearly a fifth less winter rain, innovations that reduce evaporation and boost plant establishment are essential. As the team now works toward a commercially viable product, the hope is clear: to give farmers a tool that doesn’t just adapt to climate change, but actively fights its impact—one drop at a time.