Chapter 6 - Applications of nanotechnology in agriculture

Publication date: 2019Source: Methods in Microbiology, Volume 46Author(s): Hemraj ChhipaAbstractExcess use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has shown negative impacts on soil health and environment. Chemical residues destroy the soil ecosystem by affecting the non-targeted organisms and decrease soil fertility simultaneously. To prevent such adversity in soil and environment, researchers have applied nanotechnology in agriculture. Nanotechnology is the rising technology of the current decade, which has shown promising results in controlling excess agri-inputs and maintaining environmental balance. The characteristics of controlled release capacity and targeted delivery of nanofertilizer and nanopesticide showed high activity in comparison to conventional fertilizers and pesticides. Different nanofertilizers and nanopesticides such as silver, zinc, iron, titanium, phosphorus, molybdenum and polymer nanoparticles have shown great potential as plant growth and pest control agents. Various types of nanotools such as nanomaterial, nanoformulations, nanocomposite, nanoemulsion and nanoencapsulation based agri tools have been used to provide nutrition to plants and toxins to pests in a controlled manner. Nanosensors also showed proficient applications in smart agriculture systems and food security. In the current chapter we covered various nanomaterials applied in agriculture systems as nanofertilizer, nanopesticide, nanosensor and food security agents.
Source: Methods in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research