Nano-agriculture and nitrogen cycling: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable farming

Abstract

Non-point source pollution caused by soil nitrogen loss due to high input of nitrogen and low use efficiency is a major challenge facing the agricultural industry. Nanotechnology presents promising opportunities to improve crop nitrogen use efficiency and mitigate nitrogen non-point source pollution. This review paper examines the potential benefits of nanotechnology in agriculture, specifically with regards to the agricultural nitrogen cycling. Nitrogen fertilizers in nanoform may slowly and consistently release nutrients to provide accurate doses for crops. The combination of nanotechnology and biotechnology potentially can to improve the efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume plants, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Nanomaterials with unique properties can regulate nitrogen transformation, reducing emissions of nitrous oxide and ammonia, as well as minimizing nitrogen leaching and runoff losses by adsorbing available nitrogen or changing soil physical and chemical properties. Nonetheless, concerns about nano-safety have also been raised, as certain nanomaterials may endanger the survival of microorganisms and disrupt the legume-rhizobium symbiotic system. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential widespread application of nanotechnology in agriculture, whilst highlighting potential safety concerns, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for the future development of nano-based green agriculture.