Nanotechnology a novel approach to enhance crop productivity

Abstract

Nanobiotechnology provides novel set of tools to manipulate and enhance crop production using nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanoemulsions, and nanocapsules. Nanomaterials provide a platform to deliver agrochemicals and various macromolecules needed for plant growth enhancement and resistance to stresses. Smart delivery of agrochemicals increases the yield by optimizing water and nutrient conditions. Another added advantage is controlled release and site-directed delivery of agrochemicals. Further enhancement in quality and quantity in agriculture can be achieved by nanoparticle-mediated gene transformation and delivery of macromolecules that induces gene expression in plants. Various types of nanomaterials have been tested so far and the results have been promising in terms of productivity and quality enhancement.

Advances in Controlled-Release Pesticide Formulations with Improved Efficacy and Targetability

“…With regard to pharmaceutical chemicals, the term “intelligence” is used to describe drug delivery in humans, referring to specific targeting drugs to specific sites of pathology and in response to specific physiological conditions within the human body. Taking inspiration from the theoretical basis of such “smart” nanomedicine, the use of smart-release nanopesticides has garnered extensive interest by researchers. − The targets of smart-release pesticides are crop pathogens and other pests, and there are additional environmental factors not encountered in the human body that add complexity to developing smart pesticide formulations, such as light, temperature, pH, and enzymatic reactions, among others. A wide range of controlled-release formulations focus on the properties of release, the carrier materials functional response to such environmental factors, and “smart” targeting of the pest/pathogen of interest.…”

Polymer Based Engineered Materials for Sustainable Agriculture

“…Polymer based nanocomposites are highly efficient for the controlled release of agrochemicals (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides) due to their smaller sizes and higher surface/volume ratios . They also protect the agrochemicals from leaching, rapid degradation, and surface runoff with rainwater, which in turn reduces the environmental burden and prevents these agrochemicals from being accumulated in the food chain .…”

Multifunctional Nanoparticles and Nanopesticides in Agricultural Application

“…In agriculture, nanoparticles are mainly used to effectively deliver exogenous insecticidal factors to improve plant health, expand the insecticidal spectrum, reduce pesticide use, prolong the period of efficacy, and reduce environmental pollution. Nanoparticles can be used as adjuvants to assist in the delivery of chemical or botanical pesticides, which can both improve the efficacy of pesticides and reduce the amount of pesticide applied [ 12 , 13 ]. As well as acting as adjuvants for chemical or botanical pesticides, nanoparticles can be used to deliver biological pesticides such as double-stranded RNAs and toxic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins, with broad potential utility in pest control [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”