Polysaccharides as eco-nanomaterials for agricultural applications

Abstract

The great growth of the world population, climate change, and environmental issues related to the accumulation of pesticides and fertilizers are the main problems facing the agricultural sector. To provide solutions, new innovative developments committed to caring for the environment are required. Nanotechnology has demonstrated great potential to provide new solutions to the many challenges faced by other sectors including agriculture. The aim of this work was to carry out an updated version of the problems facing the current agricultural sector and show how polysaccharide based eco- nanomaterials might represent a promising solution. Polysaccharide applications for the controlled release of agrochemicals and promotion of plant growth are discussed. Finally, legal aspects on the development of these types of composite materials and their commercial insertion are studied.