Nanofertilizers: The targeted nutrient supplier and enhance nutrients uptake by pearl millets (Pennisetumglaucum)

Abstract

Pearl millet is a small, nutrient-rich cereal grain that can survive in both heat and drought conditions. Many Asian and African nations regularly produce pearl millet grains. In terms of yield, India is leading the globe and contributes highest production of Pearl millet. Its grains have a huge nutritional potential because of gluten free nature have more dietary fibers than rice, similar to maize in terms of lipid content, and more or less similar in protein in wheat. Due to the growing demand in food industries, various techniques for the improved production have been introduced. The agricultural revolution has expanded the use of chemical fertilizers for the enhanced production of many agricultural crops, including pearl millet. However, use of chemical fertilizers through traditional methods leads to excessive application but inefficient uptake by the plant (due to volatilization, leaching off into the soil, difficult absorption into the plant etc.), causes negative impact on the natural environment. Nano-fertilizers on the other hand are crucial determining factors in agriculture for enhancing growth, yield and provide higher nutrient usage efficiency, less fertilizer waste and lower cultivation costs etc. These kind of materials might successfully address the solution of current agricultural problems, particularly those related to the human population's iron and zinc deficiencies. The current review paper focuses on production of pearl millet in India, its applications in human health, role of nano fertilizers for the enhanced production and quality improvement.