Sustainable Farming and Agricultural Nanotechnology

Several nanoparticles are commercially utilized in agriculture.

Fremont, CA: The agricultural sector is dealing with challenges such as rapid climatic changes, decreased soil fertility, macro and micronutrient deficiency, abuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and heavy metals in the soil. Still, the global population increase has subsequently escalated food demand. Nanotechnology has contributed exceedingly to sustainable agriculture by improving crop production and restoring and improving soil quality.

Nanotechnology is applied in different aspects of agriculture, such as:

• Nano-pesticide delivery

• Slow and controlled release of nanoparticles, including biofertilizers

• Transport of genetic materials for crop development

•Usage of nano biosensors for quick detection of phytopathogen and other biotic and abiotic stresses.

The poor understanding of the farmers in general and the excessive use of chemicals have severely impacted the agricultural land as the toxic agrochemicals contaminate the surface and groundwater. Furthermore, the enhanced use of chemical pesticides also eradicates beneficial microbes, insects, and other wildlife from the soil—the cumulative effect of the above results in significant ecosystem degradation.

Nanoparticles Commonly Used in the Agricultural Sector

Several nanoparticles are commercially utilized in agriculture. Some of the commonly used nanoparticles are referred to below:

Polymeric nanoparticles

In agriculture, polymeric nanoparticles are used to deliver agrochemicals in a slow and controlled manner. Polymeric nanoparticles' benefits are their superior biocompatibility and minimal effect on non-targeted organisms.

Some of the polymeric nanomaterials employed in agriculture are polyethylene glycol, poly(epsilon-caprolactone), poly(lactide-co-glycolides), and poly (γ-glutamic acid).

Silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles are broadly used for their antimicrobial properties against many phytopathogens. In addition, scientists have also announced that silver nanoparticles enhance plant growth.

Nano alumino-silicates

Many chemical companies employ nano-alumino-silicate formulations as effective pesticides.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles

These nanoparticles are biocompatible and are employed as a disinfecting agent for water.

Carbon nanoparticles, like graphene, graphene oxide, carbon dots, and fullerenes, are used for improved seed germination.

Some other nanoparticles used in agriculture are zinc oxide, copper oxide nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles.

Nanopesticides and nanoherbicides

The utilization of nanoherbicides and nanopesticides for the management of weed and pests have considerably increased crop productivity. Various nanoparticles, like polymeric and inorganic, are utilized for nanoherbicide formulations.

Scientists have developed diverse routes for the efficient delivery of herbicides. For instance, poly (epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles encapsulate atrazine, a herbicide. This nanocapsule revealed strong control of the targeted species, decreased genotoxicity level, and could also significantly reduce the atrazine mobility in the soil.

Nanomaterials for disease management

Microbial (virus, fungus, and bacteria) infections obtain huge agricultural losses annually.

Nanomaterials with precise antimicrobial properties help hinder microbial infestations. Common pathogenic fungi that reason diseases are Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Dematophora necatrix.

Several nanoparticles, like nickel ferrite and copper nanoparticles, have strong antifungal properties and are efficiently used in disease management, regarding viral infection treatment, chitosan nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and silica nanoparticles effectively against viral diseases like a mosaic virus for tobacco, potato, and alfalfa.

Nanofertilizers

Scientists have utilized nanotechnology to design a smart delivery system that would release nutrients in a slow and controlled manner to the aimed site to tackle nutrient deficiency in plants.

Nanofertilizers enhance crop productivity by providing essential nutrients to the plant.

A substantial increase in millet and cluster beans yields was found after applying nanophosphorus fertilizers in arid conditions. In addition, Chitosan nanoparticle suspensions containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium have also increased crop production.

Nanotechnology in seed development

Seed quality is a crucial factor on which crop productivity depends.

It has been followed that carbon nanotubes can enter the hard seed coat of tomatoes and considerably enhance the germination index and plant growth.

Moreover, the germination percentage increased when soybean and corn seeds were sprayed with a multiwall carbon nanotube. Different nano treatments are available to improve the germination index of plants.

Nanobiosensors

Nanobiosensors are greatly sensitive and certain when compared to conventional biosensors. These devices convert biological responses into electrical responses through a microprocessor.

Nanobiosensors provide real-time signal monitoring and are involved in directly or indirectly uncovering pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic resistance, pesticides, toxins, and heavy metal contaminants. This technology also monitors crop stress, soil health, plant growth, nutrient content, and food quality.

Futuristic Strategies and Policy Choices for Sustainable Farming Via Agricultural

Nanotechnology

Here are some of the strategies devised for sustainable farming through agricultural nanotechnology:

• Controlled green synthesis of nanoparticles

• Knowledge of nanoparticles produced by root endophytes and mycorrhizal fungi, which play a major role in plant productivity and disease management

• Interaction of nanoparticles with plant system like transport mechanism of nanoparticles inside the plant body

• Critical assessment of the adverse effects of nanoparticles on various environmental conditions

• Development of portable and user-friendly nanobiosensors for swift analysis of soil, plants, water, and pesticides

Some of the policy opportunities for the application of nanotechnology for the sustainable development of agriculture are listed below:

• Development of unique institutions with expertise for the proper evaluation of biosafety of nanoparticles

• Formation of clear guidelines after Food Safety and Standards Authority (WHO standards) for monitoring and evaluation of nanoparticle-based systems

• Right documentation of nanomaterials-based toxicity to the aquatic organisms

• Much collaborative research and sharing of resources for the growth of a better research system

• To effectively use nano-based products, farmers should be educated by skilled professionals to minimize field problems.