68
S. Kakkar et al.
4.4 Agriculture Application of Biogenic Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology is a highly probable technology that will help to recast agricultural
operations (Mousavi SR, Rezaei 2011; Pérez-de-Luque and Rubiales 2009; Prasad
et al. 2017; Sekhon 2014; Singh et al. 2015). In agriculture, it will show highly
fruitful results in controlling fertilizers, nutrient suppliers, and also for sustainable
development (Gruère 2012; He et al. 2018). The implication of the nanotechnology
research in the agricultural sector is becoming to be necessary, and is even a key factor
for sustainable development. Abiogenic nanoparticles, like titanium, zinc, are proved
as good in resource management of agricultural field, drug-delivery mechanisms in
plants, and help to maintain the fertility of the soil. Mainly, zinc oxide nanoparticles
are used to enhance the growth of fertilizers and food crops by making zinc oxide
colloidal solutions.
a. Nanofertilizers
Nanofertilizers are nutrient-rich fertilizers that supply nutrients to the soil and plants
to revive the fertility of the soil. The nanofertilizers are freely available in the market
in the last few years. They will help to maintain the plant growth and sustainability
of soil. The main advantage of nanofertilizers is that they can be used in very small
amount for the growth of plants (Wang et al. 2016).
b. Nanopesticides
Nanoparticles also play a major role in the control of pests and insecticides. Nanoencapsulation method is used to make nanopesticides. These nanopesticides have special properties, like soil solubility, specificity, and permeability (Bhattacharyya et al.
2016). These nanoencapsulated pesticides are used most commonly because of their
slow releasing properties in the soil which make them suitable and sustainable for
environment. The advantage of these nanopesticides is to develop non-toxic pesticide
to enhance the growth of plants.
c. Nanoherbicides
Economic losses in crop yields and sustainability by weeds cause a serious problem
in agriculture. Because of this serious problem, it is necessary to eliminate weeds
from environment. Nanoherbicides are eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to
protect the environment from wild weeds (Pérez-de-Luque and Rubiales 2009).
Nanoherbicides are mixed with groundwater because of their high surface to volume ratio which provides a strong interaction with soil. Grillo obtained (Grillo et al.
2014) chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles and used as a carrier system to remove
herbicides from the environment.
d. Agriculture: Crop protection and livestock productivity
In agricultural activities, nanotechnology shows a significant concern because their
nano-sized particles help in increasing the crop productivity and in enhancing live
stock quality. Nanotechnology in agriculture is a most efficient and sustainable application that will help to protect the plant growth from toxic chemicals and detect the
S. Kakkar et al.
4.4 Agriculture Application of Biogenic Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology is a highly probable technology that will help to recast agricultural
operations (Mousavi SR, Rezaei 2011; Pérez-de-Luque and Rubiales 2009; Prasad
et al. 2017; Sekhon 2014; Singh et al. 2015). In agriculture, it will show highly
fruitful results in controlling fertilizers, nutrient suppliers, and also for sustainable
development (Gruère 2012; He et al. 2018). The implication of the nanotechnology
research in the agricultural sector is becoming to be necessary, and is even a key factor
for sustainable development. Abiogenic nanoparticles, like titanium, zinc, are proved
as good in resource management of agricultural field, drug-delivery mechanisms in
plants, and help to maintain the fertility of the soil. Mainly, zinc oxide nanoparticles
are used to enhance the growth of fertilizers and food crops by making zinc oxide
colloidal solutions.
a. Nanofertilizers
Nanofertilizers are nutrient-rich fertilizers that supply nutrients to the soil and plants
to revive the fertility of the soil. The nanofertilizers are freely available in the market
in the last few years. They will help to maintain the plant growth and sustainability
of soil. The main advantage of nanofertilizers is that they can be used in very small
amount for the growth of plants (Wang et al. 2016).
b. Nanopesticides
Nanoparticles also play a major role in the control of pests and insecticides. Nanoencapsulation method is used to make nanopesticides. These nanopesticides have special properties, like soil solubility, specificity, and permeability (Bhattacharyya et al.
2016). These nanoencapsulated pesticides are used most commonly because of their
slow releasing properties in the soil which make them suitable and sustainable for
environment. The advantage of these nanopesticides is to develop non-toxic pesticide
to enhance the growth of plants.
c. Nanoherbicides
Economic losses in crop yields and sustainability by weeds cause a serious problem
in agriculture. Because of this serious problem, it is necessary to eliminate weeds
from environment. Nanoherbicides are eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to
protect the environment from wild weeds (Pérez-de-Luque and Rubiales 2009).
Nanoherbicides are mixed with groundwater because of their high surface to volume ratio which provides a strong interaction with soil. Grillo obtained (Grillo et al.
2014) chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles and used as a carrier system to remove
herbicides from the environment.
d. Agriculture: Crop protection and livestock productivity
In agricultural activities, nanotechnology shows a significant concern because their
nano-sized particles help in increasing the crop productivity and in enhancing live
stock quality. Nanotechnology in agriculture is a most efficient and sustainable application that will help to protect the plant growth from toxic chemicals and detect the