Nanofertilizers and Their Applications
10
Bhupinder Dhir
Abstract
Nanotechnology has proved its potential in bringing improvement in the agricultural sector via application of nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and use of products
such as nanosensors. Nanofertilizers facilitate slow and steady release of nutrients
thereby increasing productivity of the soil. They enhance nutrient use efficiency
and reduce the loss of nutrients. Enhancement in the photosynthetic capacity in
plants caused due to increased availability of nutrients leads to production of high
yield and dry matter. Use of nanofertilizers proves advantageous because it
reduces frequency of application of chemical fertilizers and hence soil toxicity.
Nanotechnology can thus prove as a technique with immense potential for
improving agricultural productivity and help us in achieving sustainable
agriculture.
Keywords
Agriculture · Nanofertilizers · Nanoparticles · Nutrient uptake · Productivity
10.1 Introduction
Agricultural productivity needs to be increased several fold to meet the needs of the
growing population and industry. Soil supplements have been used to increase
fertility and maintain productive potential of soil since years. Large-scale application
of chemical fertilizers causes irrepairable damage to soil structure, changes its
microbial flora, soil mineral balance, and decreases its fertility. The negative effects
of chemical fertilizers have prompted the search for alternate technologies that can
B. Dhir (*)
School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
# Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
R. Kumar et al. (eds.), New Frontiers of Nanomaterials in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9239-3_10
229
10
Bhupinder Dhir
Abstract
Nanotechnology has proved its potential in bringing improvement in the agricultural sector via application of nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and use of products
such as nanosensors. Nanofertilizers facilitate slow and steady release of nutrients
thereby increasing productivity of the soil. They enhance nutrient use efficiency
and reduce the loss of nutrients. Enhancement in the photosynthetic capacity in
plants caused due to increased availability of nutrients leads to production of high
yield and dry matter. Use of nanofertilizers proves advantageous because it
reduces frequency of application of chemical fertilizers and hence soil toxicity.
Nanotechnology can thus prove as a technique with immense potential for
improving agricultural productivity and help us in achieving sustainable
agriculture.
Keywords
Agriculture · Nanofertilizers · Nanoparticles · Nutrient uptake · Productivity
10.1 Introduction
Agricultural productivity needs to be increased several fold to meet the needs of the
growing population and industry. Soil supplements have been used to increase
fertility and maintain productive potential of soil since years. Large-scale application
of chemical fertilizers causes irrepairable damage to soil structure, changes its
microbial flora, soil mineral balance, and decreases its fertility. The negative effects
of chemical fertilizers have prompted the search for alternate technologies that can
B. Dhir (*)
School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
# Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
R. Kumar et al. (eds.), New Frontiers of Nanomaterials in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9239-3_10
229