Nanotechnology for Sustainable Crop Production: Recent Development and Strategies

Abstract

The conventional agricultural farming system has adversely affected the natural ecosystem with the heavy use of fertilizers, pesticides and contaminated water irrigation. Although the conventional agricultural system plays a significant role in the feeding of world population, it has also damaged our pristine ecosystem, simultaneously. In order to solve this problem, nanotechnology has gained a lot of popularity in last few decades. This could be because of the fact that the traditional farming techniques are neither able to substantially enhance the crop production nor are sustainable in the long term. The intervention of nanotechnology in the agricultural system has not only improved the crop yield but also restored and improved the quality of this ecosystem. Moreover, nanotechnology-based products like nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanoweedicides and nanosensors have improved the crop yield and income of the farmers. They have helped in boosting seed germination, photosynthesis and nutrient levels in soils. Additionally, they have aided in identifying pest attack and disease prevalence. Simultaneously, they have remediated polluted lands and filtered polluted waters. Further, these products have enabled plants to face climate changing scenarios.