• Studies on methodologies able to assess possible arise of resistance mechanisms
to nanomaterials by pathogens and insect pests should be undertaken. As a whole,
the newly developed analytical methodologies would support predictive models
to characterize, localize, and quantify engineered nanomaterials in the environments. Under these circumstances, knowledge exchange among researchers from
different disciplines would be essential.
5.11 Conclusion
Nanotechnology has the potential to improve growth and yield of wheat under
changing climate scenario. Soil and foliar application of nanomaterials may
increase wheat yield significantly for meeting the food demand of the growing
population. However, comprehensive experimentation is needed to determine the
best concentration, mode, and time of application in addition to exploring underlying physiological mechanism responsible for enhanced growth and yield.
Despite of these potential benefits, the application of nanotechnology in wheat
fertilization and stress management could come with risks to the environment
non-target plants, beneficial soil microbes, and other life forms which could be
affected if nanomaterials are used injudiciously. Therefore, a better understanding
of the agroecological consequences of nanotechnology, especially in context to
dose response, release of ions, and nanoparticle-specific effects of mineral nutrients, is important to harness its full dividend. Research on nanosensors for
detecting wheat pathogens is yet to be explored specially for its field application.
It would be highly valuable for rapid diagnosis and effective disease management
especially in case of compound interest diseases like rusts and powdery mildews
and seed-borne diseases like loose smut and Karnal bunt. Nanosensors dispersed in
the field can detect the presence of wheat pathogens and also the level of soil
nutrients. Accelerating plant growth and productivity through the application of
nanofertilizers can open new perspectives in resource management practices,
because nanotech-based products promise to be a safe way to enrich nutrients to
plants without doing significant harm to the environment. Nevertheless, further
field studies are needed to study the effect of such concentration on growth and
metabolism of wheat plants and to ensure the safety of the nano-treated plants for
the use of animals and humans. Regarding the accumulation of nanoparticles in the
wheat roots and shoots, quantification and localization of nanoparticles are still
very unclear, and further research in this area is necessary. Nanotechnology-based
devices will increase the use of sensors for real-time monitoring of wheat fields.
However, genetic response of wheat seedlings in the presence of nanoparticles is
also a topic of debate. Overall, it may be concluded that nanotechnology has more
potential to enhance growth and yield of wheat under stressful environment.
However, comprehensive experimentations are needed to determine the proper
concentration, mode, and time of application in addition to exploring underlying
physiological mechanism responsible for enhanced growth and yield of wheat. The
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to nanomaterials by pathogens and insect pests should be undertaken. As a whole,
the newly developed analytical methodologies would support predictive models
to characterize, localize, and quantify engineered nanomaterials in the environments. Under these circumstances, knowledge exchange among researchers from
different disciplines would be essential.
5.11 Conclusion
Nanotechnology has the potential to improve growth and yield of wheat under
changing climate scenario. Soil and foliar application of nanomaterials may
increase wheat yield significantly for meeting the food demand of the growing
population. However, comprehensive experimentation is needed to determine the
best concentration, mode, and time of application in addition to exploring underlying physiological mechanism responsible for enhanced growth and yield.
Despite of these potential benefits, the application of nanotechnology in wheat
fertilization and stress management could come with risks to the environment
non-target plants, beneficial soil microbes, and other life forms which could be
affected if nanomaterials are used injudiciously. Therefore, a better understanding
of the agroecological consequences of nanotechnology, especially in context to
dose response, release of ions, and nanoparticle-specific effects of mineral nutrients, is important to harness its full dividend. Research on nanosensors for
detecting wheat pathogens is yet to be explored specially for its field application.
It would be highly valuable for rapid diagnosis and effective disease management
especially in case of compound interest diseases like rusts and powdery mildews
and seed-borne diseases like loose smut and Karnal bunt. Nanosensors dispersed in
the field can detect the presence of wheat pathogens and also the level of soil
nutrients. Accelerating plant growth and productivity through the application of
nanofertilizers can open new perspectives in resource management practices,
because nanotech-based products promise to be a safe way to enrich nutrients to
plants without doing significant harm to the environment. Nevertheless, further
field studies are needed to study the effect of such concentration on growth and
metabolism of wheat plants and to ensure the safety of the nano-treated plants for
the use of animals and humans. Regarding the accumulation of nanoparticles in the
wheat roots and shoots, quantification and localization of nanoparticles are still
very unclear, and further research in this area is necessary. Nanotechnology-based
devices will increase the use of sensors for real-time monitoring of wheat fields.
However, genetic response of wheat seedlings in the presence of nanoparticles is
also a topic of debate. Overall, it may be concluded that nanotechnology has more
potential to enhance growth and yield of wheat under stressful environment.
However, comprehensive experimentations are needed to determine the proper
concentration, mode, and time of application in addition to exploring underlying
physiological mechanism responsible for enhanced growth and yield of wheat. The
186
P. L. Kashyap et al.