Applications of Nanomaterials to Enhance Plant Health and Agricultural Production

Abstract

With the rising inadequacy in arable land and water resources, the progress of agriculture sector is only possible by upsurging the resources use efficacy following least damage to agroecology via effective exploitation of modern technologies. Amid these, nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize agricultural systems, biomedicine, environmental engineering, safety and security, water resources, energy sectors, and various other areas of societal welfare. Nanotechnology deals with the smallest possible particles which hoist hopes for upgrading agricultural productivity through encountering problems unsolved conventionally. Agriculture sector can be benefited from nanotechnology in various areas such as combating pests and pathogens, enhancing the growth and quality of crops, and developing intelligent materials and nanosensors for different applications. In this context, an overview of the use of nanomaterials in plant nutrition, highlighting its advantages and potential uses in the field of agriculture, is discussed. The purpose of nanomaterials in agriculture is to lessen the amount of toxic chemicals, reduce the nutrient losses due to fertilization, and boost the yield statistic via pest and nutrient management. The major interest of using nanotechnology in agriculture comprises specific applications like nanofertilizers and nanopesticides to trail products and nutrients levels to augment the productivity without decontamination of soil and water and protection against several insects, pests, and microbial diseases. Hence, this chapter discusses the existing challenges of sustainability, plant nutrition, and food security with the involvement of nanomaterials, especially in the developing countries.