Futuristic 2D Nanomaterial Composites Agro-Formulations for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

AbstractAgriculture is one of the major concerns that are associated with sustainability and human health. The change in climatic conditions and an increasing global hunger has imposed a profound challenge on the agricultural practices. There are many reports where nanomaterials driven advancement in various agriculture practices seem to be an answer to these problems. Nanomaterials (NMs) offer amazing prospects for crop improvement leading to an increased agricultural productivity. Development of nanotechnology-based novel agro-products, viz., nanosensors, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides and nanoformulations of biocontrol agents, is currently a subject of intensive investigation. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, in particular, offer significant capabilities that stem from their intrinsic properties of high surface area enabling a high loading capacity, on-target delivery, bioavailability and protection from enzymatic degradations. 2D NMs such as graphene, TMDs and MXenes are administered as nanoformulations into plants that reduces the use of agrochemicals and nutrient losses and increases the yield through optimized water and nutrients management. Sensors designed from 2D NMs can help to monitor the quality of soil, nutrient level and presence of toxic chemicals in agricultural fields. There is no doubt that the sustainable growth of agriculture completely depends on the new and innovative techniques offered by 2D NMs. This chapter discusses the different types of 2D NMs and their role in providing sustainable agriculture practices by exploring research that shows the application of nanotechnology in agriculture.Keywords2D nanomaterialsGrapheneTMDsMXeneSustainable agriculture