How Agricultural Nanotechnology Will Influence the Future of Farming Sustainability
The agricultural sector is dealing with enormous challenges such as rapid climatic changes, a decrease in soil fertility, macro and micronutrient deficiency, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and heavy metal presence in the soil, reports AZoNano. However, the global population increase has subsequently escalated food demand. Nanotechnology has immensely contributed to sustainable agriculture by enhancing crop production and restoring and improving soil quality.
Nanotechnology is applied in various aspects of agriculture, for example:
- Nano-pesticide delivery
- Slow and controlled release of nanoparticles containing biofertilizers
- Transport of genetic materials for crop development
- Application of nano biosensors for rapid detection of phytopathogen and other biotic and abiotic stresses.
This article focuses on the recent applications of nanotechnology for sustainable farming and how it influences the future of agricultural developments.
The poor awareness of the farmers in general and the excessive use of chemicals has severely affected the agricultural land as the toxic agrochemicals pollute the surface and groundwater. The increased use of chemical pesticides also eliminates beneficial microbes, insects, and other wildlife from the soil. The cumulative effect of all of the above results in major degradation of the ecosystem.
Nanoparticles Commonly Used in the Agricultural Sector
Several nanoparticles are commercially used in agriculture. Some of the commonly used nanoparticles are mentioned below:
Polymeric nanoparticles. In the agricultural sector, polymeric nanoparticles are used in the delivery of agrochemicals in a slow and controlled manner. Some of the advantages of polymeric nanoparticles are their superior biocompatibility and minimal impact on non-targeted organisms.
Some of the polymeric nanomaterials used in agriculture are polyethylene glycol, poly(epsilon-caprolactone), poly(lactide-co-glycolides), and poly (γ-glutamic acid).
Silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles are extensively used for their antimicrobial property against a wide range of phytopathogens. Scientists have also reported that silver nanoparticles enhance plant growth.
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