Fertilizers play a key role in increasing agricultural production, whereby their
overuse can be the cause of damage to the environment. In comparison to conventional mineral fertilizers, nanofertilizers may significantly improve plant growth and
yield, provide plants with necessary nutrients (macroelements or microelements),
increase the efficiency of use of fertilizers, and minimize the adverse effect of
fertilizers on the environment (Liu and Lal 2015; Giri et al. 2019). Nano-formulation
protects against premature degradation and allows release of nutrients in a controlled
manner (Nair et al. 2010). Oancea et al. (2009) have confirmed that the controlled
release of nutrients enclosed in nanocomposites may be a viable technology for
organic farming. The use of a nanocomposite consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, microelements, mannose, and amino acids had a positive effect on the
cultivation of cereal crops through the increased availability of nutrients (Liu et al.
2006). Zheng et al. (2005) have observed that titanium dioxide TiO 2 NPs help with
the absorption of water and improve the germination of seeds. They showed that a
30-day treatment of spinach seeds with TiO 2 NPs caused an improvement in the dry
matter content of seeds, a threefold improvement in photosynthesis efficiency, and a
higher chlorophyll content compared to the control. It was found that TiO 2 NPs in
certain concentrations may increase the absorption of mineral nutrients, accelerate
the decomposition of organic substances, and also neutralize the production of
reactive oxygen species (ROS). It increases the availability of water and oxygen
for seeds and the rate of germination as a result. Yang et al. (2006) have also shown
the positive role of TiO 2 NPs in plant growth by increasing nitrogen metabolism and
photosynthesis. Composites containing calcium phosphate in the form of a nanogel
improved the germination of plants Oryza sativa, Arachis hypogea, and Amaranthus
spinosus (Umarani and Mala 2013). The foliar application of potassium- and
calcium-chelated nanofertilizers had a positive effect on the growth of Ocimum
basilicum (Ghahremani et al. 2014). Similar results were obtained by Tarafdar
et al. (2014) after treatment of Pennisetum americanum with zinc oxide (ZnO)NPs.
Preparations containing chitosan NPs have been successfully used for controlled
release of NPK fertilizers, while hydroxyapatite NPs have been used to similar effect
in providing plants with nutrients, especially phosphorus (Corradini et al. 2010;
Hasaneen et al. 2014; Sarkar et al. 2015). Nanosized zeolites enriched with nutrients
have proved to be equally effective. Malekian et al. (2011) have shown that corn
grain yield and dry matter were increased by 4.9% and 10.3%, respectively, in
relation to the control after the application of nanozeolites. In addition, the rate of
uptake of fertilizer by plants increased from 77.4% to 85.8%. The positive effect of
zeolite on wheat has also been shown by Zwingmann et al. (2011), who observed a
64% increase in dry matter compared to the control. Zeolites, including nanometric
zeolites, proved to be an ideal substrate for improving the efficiency of uptake of
nutrients by plants, better plant growth, as well as improved infiltration and retention
of water. It may also contribute to decreasing the negative effects of the use of
conventional fertilizers and thus to the reduction of environmental risk.
One of the main problems of modern agricultural production is to limit losses of
crop yield caused by plant diseases, pests, and weeds. It is estimated that such losses
amount to 20–40% and continue to remain high despite a clear increase in the use of
6
A. Gorczyca et al.
overuse can be the cause of damage to the environment. In comparison to conventional mineral fertilizers, nanofertilizers may significantly improve plant growth and
yield, provide plants with necessary nutrients (macroelements or microelements),
increase the efficiency of use of fertilizers, and minimize the adverse effect of
fertilizers on the environment (Liu and Lal 2015; Giri et al. 2019). Nano-formulation
protects against premature degradation and allows release of nutrients in a controlled
manner (Nair et al. 2010). Oancea et al. (2009) have confirmed that the controlled
release of nutrients enclosed in nanocomposites may be a viable technology for
organic farming. The use of a nanocomposite consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, microelements, mannose, and amino acids had a positive effect on the
cultivation of cereal crops through the increased availability of nutrients (Liu et al.
2006). Zheng et al. (2005) have observed that titanium dioxide TiO 2 NPs help with
the absorption of water and improve the germination of seeds. They showed that a
30-day treatment of spinach seeds with TiO 2 NPs caused an improvement in the dry
matter content of seeds, a threefold improvement in photosynthesis efficiency, and a
higher chlorophyll content compared to the control. It was found that TiO 2 NPs in
certain concentrations may increase the absorption of mineral nutrients, accelerate
the decomposition of organic substances, and also neutralize the production of
reactive oxygen species (ROS). It increases the availability of water and oxygen
for seeds and the rate of germination as a result. Yang et al. (2006) have also shown
the positive role of TiO 2 NPs in plant growth by increasing nitrogen metabolism and
photosynthesis. Composites containing calcium phosphate in the form of a nanogel
improved the germination of plants Oryza sativa, Arachis hypogea, and Amaranthus
spinosus (Umarani and Mala 2013). The foliar application of potassium- and
calcium-chelated nanofertilizers had a positive effect on the growth of Ocimum
basilicum (Ghahremani et al. 2014). Similar results were obtained by Tarafdar
et al. (2014) after treatment of Pennisetum americanum with zinc oxide (ZnO)NPs.
Preparations containing chitosan NPs have been successfully used for controlled
release of NPK fertilizers, while hydroxyapatite NPs have been used to similar effect
in providing plants with nutrients, especially phosphorus (Corradini et al. 2010;
Hasaneen et al. 2014; Sarkar et al. 2015). Nanosized zeolites enriched with nutrients
have proved to be equally effective. Malekian et al. (2011) have shown that corn
grain yield and dry matter were increased by 4.9% and 10.3%, respectively, in
relation to the control after the application of nanozeolites. In addition, the rate of
uptake of fertilizer by plants increased from 77.4% to 85.8%. The positive effect of
zeolite on wheat has also been shown by Zwingmann et al. (2011), who observed a
64% increase in dry matter compared to the control. Zeolites, including nanometric
zeolites, proved to be an ideal substrate for improving the efficiency of uptake of
nutrients by plants, better plant growth, as well as improved infiltration and retention
of water. It may also contribute to decreasing the negative effects of the use of
conventional fertilizers and thus to the reduction of environmental risk.
One of the main problems of modern agricultural production is to limit losses of
crop yield caused by plant diseases, pests, and weeds. It is estimated that such losses
amount to 20–40% and continue to remain high despite a clear increase in the use of
6
A. Gorczyca et al.