Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Abstract

Indian agricultural growth has reduced from about 3.6% in 1985--1995 to less than 2% in 1995--2005. This is far below than the targeted 4% annual growth in agricultural sector for 2020. The major concern is food grain production. Among the many scientific advancements, nanotechnology (NT) has been identified as a potential technology for reviving the agriculture and food industry and can improve livelihood of poor. Various sectors like health care, materials, textile, information and communication technology (ITC), and energy can get huge benefits from nanotechnology. In agricultural sector in particular, nanotechnology plays an important role in crop production, food processing and packaging, food security and water purification, environmental remediation, crop improvement, and plant protection. Agricultural productivity can be improved through nanomaterial-induced genetically improved animals and plants, site-specific drug and gene delivery of molecules at cellular/molecular levels in animals and plants, and nano-array-based genetic modification in animals and plants in stress conditions. Nanotechnology has the potential of precise delivery of agrochemicals for improving disease resistance, plant growth, and nutrient use. Nanoencapsulated products show the ability of more effective and site-specific use of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides in an eco-friendly and greener way. It is successfully used in postharvest for maintaining freshness, quality, and shelf life of stored product and preventing disease occurrences in a fairly safer way. The use of nanomaterials is quite new in agriculture and it requires additional research. Social and ethical repercussions of nanotechnology uses in agriculture have to be considered. Before commercialization and field application, toxicity of nanomaterials has to be evaluated.