Chapter 9 - Bio-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles via conventional and irradiation-assisted methods and their application for environmental remediation in agriculture

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted substantial attention in several research fields owing to their unique physicochemical properties, which make them suitable for industrial, biotechnological, and commercial applications (e.g., coatings, catalysts, biological markers/probes, etc.). Similarly, the potential use of AgNPs in agriculture has been extensively explored. However, the agricultural application of AgNPs requires the use of carefully designed greener methods. Although AgNPs with well-defined morphological structures, shapes, and sizes are synthesized using a wide variety of physical and chemical methods, greener procedures have also been developed to avoid the generation of toxic active and waste by-products. Biological methods, including the use of plant extracts, microorganisms, and fungi, have been widely reported. Nevertheless, these biological methods need to be activated by a carefully selected spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to produce AgNPs with the properties of interest. The current study summarizes biological protocols for the synthesis of AgNPs via conventional and irradiation-assisted methods. In addition, the application of AgNPs for control of agricultural pests is concisely highlighted.