Polymer-Based Nanoparticles (NPs): A Promising Approach for Crop Productivity

Abstract

AbstractRecently, the production of nanoparticles (NPs) has become a new and pioneering approach that can be exploited in several areas such as medicine, agriculture, cosmetics, engineering, and environmental fields. The wide applicability is due to their particular physicochemical properties, like small size with the big superficial area, and high electronic properties. Regarding agricultural fields, different kinds of NPs were applied. Among the successful nanomaterials that were used to promote plant growth and productivity of crops, there are polymer-based NPs (i.e., polysaccharide NPs, protein NPs, and lipid NPs). These nanomaterials were used as a plant growth promoter and nanostructured carriers of antioxidants, phytohormones, fertilizers (NPK), volatile organic compounds, and agrochemicals (herbicides, fungicides, and so on). Although there has been remarkable progress in the development of polymer-based NPs to induce vegetative growth and the quality of fruits and vegetables as well as to cope with environmental stresses, their mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the present chapter will address three important points: (1) the effects of polymer-based NPs on plant physiology and fruits, (2) their mechanisms in protecting plants from biotic and abiotic stress, and (3) how they affect beneficial microorganisms (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria). The application of NPs in sustainable agriculture is a promising solution instead of agrichemicals, which are unsafe to the ecosystem. The investigation of this novel approach could be an efficient application in plant pathology and crop productivity.KeywordsSustainable agricultureNanoparticles (NPs)Crop productionPlant protection