Nanofertilisers, Nanopesticides, Nanosensors of Pest and Nanotoxicity in Agriculture

Abstract

Food security in the world is challenging due to the limited available resources for the rising population. Various efforts are being practiced by governments, organisations and researchers to mitigate the demand and supply gap in human food chain. Agriculture took the roots of growth prior to industrial revolution, in around 90 countries. Though nanotechnology has already found industrial applications, the use of nanotechnology in agriculture is much more recent. Here we review nanotechnology applications in agriculture such as plant production, protection, and detection of pathogen. We also discuss the environmental risk associated with nanotechnology. The major points are: (1) research funding for nanoresearch is highest in USA, followed by Germany and Japan, whereas China published the highest number of publications, and USA obtained the highest number of patents. (2) Nanofertilizers based on carbon walls, metal and metal oxide increase germination, photosynthesis, nutrient use efficiency and plant growth (3) The metal oxide-based nanomaterials such as ZnO, TiO2, Cu and SiO2 are increasingly used in pesticides and fungicides to protect crops from bacterial disease and control microbial activity. (4) Silver, copper and gold nanoparticles are used as bio-nanosensors and electrical-nanosensors to detect a potential pathogen problem in plant and postharvest foods. (5) The level of nanotoxicity in soil, plant and water mainly depend on the composition, size and concentration of the nanoparticles. (6) Nanoparticles of size lower than 50 nm usually adversely affect human health and the potential routing could be through inhalation, ingestion and dermal exposure. Overall, nanotechnology has the potential to increase agricultural production, but there is very limited knowledge about its long term adverse effect on soil, plants and ultimately on human. An intelligent use of nanotechnology may help to achieve food security with the qualitative and sustainable environment.