was reflected by an increase in lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione and
higher peroxidase and catalase activities in roots. The solubility of nanoparticles
decreased with increasing aggregation causing morphological changes in zinc oxide
nanoparticles (Voegelin et al. 2005). It has been shown that the amount of copper
and zinc ions released from copper oxide and zinc oxide are almost negligible to
cause phytotoxicity to plants. Plants grown with nanoparticles showed increased
accumulation of copper and zinc which altered root metabolism in wheat plants.
Both copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles have been detected in shoot of the
plants. However, the quantitative difference between the two metals is mainly in
terms of solubility and diffusion (Siddiqi and Husen 2017). These results indicate
that use of zinc oxide nanoparticles as a fertilizer or a pesticide would have to be
tuned to the soil being treated to avoid phytotoxic effects yet retain beneficial
nanoparticle uptake.
5.10 Future Challenges and Directions
Despite tremendous applications of nanotechnology in wheat production and protection, several issues remain to be resolved in the near future before
nanotechnology-based technology reflects significant contributions to the area of
sustainable quality wheat production. The major areas that need further attention are
enlisted as follows:
• Development of specific hybrid carriers for delivering active agents including
fertilizers, pesticides, and nutrients in order to enhance efficiency under field
conditions.
• Acquisition of knowledge and developments of methods for risk and life cycle
assessment of nanomaterials, nanopesticides, and nanofertilizers as well as
assessment of phytotoxic effects on nontarget organisms.
• Vigil and strict regulation policy about the use of nanoproducts. Therefore, future
case studies are required in order to address the safety of farmers and consumers
with respect to processed wheat grains using nanomaterials and nanoparticles as
well as safe for soil health and fertility. Additionally, when developing a
nanosensor for sustainable wheat grain production and processing, it is of utmost
importance to ensure that the sensing component itself is safe for human health,
because otherwise it has no future in its commercialization.
• At present adequate methodologies and tools are not available to understand the
dynamics of nanoproducts in the environment, interactions of nanoproducts with
target and nontarget organisms, or the occurrence of synergistic effects under
field conditions. Therefore, sound and strong implementation of nanotechnology
in wheat sector requires the development of tools capable of quantifying
engineered nanoparticles at the concentrations present in different environmental
compartments.
5 Nanotechnology in Wheat Production and Protection
185
higher peroxidase and catalase activities in roots. The solubility of nanoparticles
decreased with increasing aggregation causing morphological changes in zinc oxide
nanoparticles (Voegelin et al. 2005). It has been shown that the amount of copper
and zinc ions released from copper oxide and zinc oxide are almost negligible to
cause phytotoxicity to plants. Plants grown with nanoparticles showed increased
accumulation of copper and zinc which altered root metabolism in wheat plants.
Both copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles have been detected in shoot of the
plants. However, the quantitative difference between the two metals is mainly in
terms of solubility and diffusion (Siddiqi and Husen 2017). These results indicate
that use of zinc oxide nanoparticles as a fertilizer or a pesticide would have to be
tuned to the soil being treated to avoid phytotoxic effects yet retain beneficial
nanoparticle uptake.
5.10 Future Challenges and Directions
Despite tremendous applications of nanotechnology in wheat production and protection, several issues remain to be resolved in the near future before
nanotechnology-based technology reflects significant contributions to the area of
sustainable quality wheat production. The major areas that need further attention are
enlisted as follows:
• Development of specific hybrid carriers for delivering active agents including
fertilizers, pesticides, and nutrients in order to enhance efficiency under field
conditions.
• Acquisition of knowledge and developments of methods for risk and life cycle
assessment of nanomaterials, nanopesticides, and nanofertilizers as well as
assessment of phytotoxic effects on nontarget organisms.
• Vigil and strict regulation policy about the use of nanoproducts. Therefore, future
case studies are required in order to address the safety of farmers and consumers
with respect to processed wheat grains using nanomaterials and nanoparticles as
well as safe for soil health and fertility. Additionally, when developing a
nanosensor for sustainable wheat grain production and processing, it is of utmost
importance to ensure that the sensing component itself is safe for human health,
because otherwise it has no future in its commercialization.
• At present adequate methodologies and tools are not available to understand the
dynamics of nanoproducts in the environment, interactions of nanoproducts with
target and nontarget organisms, or the occurrence of synergistic effects under
field conditions. Therefore, sound and strong implementation of nanotechnology
in wheat sector requires the development of tools capable of quantifying
engineered nanoparticles at the concentrations present in different environmental
compartments.
5 Nanotechnology in Wheat Production and Protection
185