localized response to needs. Precision agriculture is already successfully making use
of remote sensing, the Global Positioning System (GPS), and Geographic Information System (GIS). Precision systems take detailed measurements of local environmental conditions in order to determine the type and area of problems which may
affect crops. This data is collected and processed. This management approach also
leads to a decrease in the amount of precipitation and in expenditure on labor.
Precision agriculture is already making use of nanosensors, nanobiosensors, and
smart systems for the transport of different compounds based on nanotechnology.
Biosensors are compact analytic devices, which are made up of biological elements
such as proteins, oligonucleotides, cells, or tissues. Biosensors consist of a probe
(a biologically sensitized element, such as a receptor, enzyme, antibody, nucleic
acid, microorganism), a transducer (converts the measurement into computable
electrical power), and a detector (collects and transmits data to the microprocessor
that it amplifies and records the data). NPs increase the efficiency of biosensors by
enabling them to cover a larger area of response. In this technology, carbon
nanotubes, nanowires, nanoparticles, or nanocrystals are used for signal transduction. Nanosensors can be used in precision agriculture for the monitoring of soil and
of the condition of cultivated crops, including the incidence of disease and physiological state. In addition, they can detect residues of pesticides and other polluting
substances in plants or the soil (Shin et al. 2006; Sekhon 2014; Kaushal and Wani
2017; Kim et al. 2018).
As tools of precision agriculture, nanosensors may in the future be decisive in the
sustainable development of agricultural intensification. In this field, they will above
all be used to counter the excessive consumption of water, fertilizers, and pesticides
while maintaining appropriate crop yields (Aktar et al. 2009; Das et al. 2015).
Nanosensors are an effective alternative to traditional, time-consuming analytic
techniques, such as gas spectroscopy or liquid chromatography. Through
multiplexing and real-time detection allowing for detection based on electrochemical, colorimetric, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, surface plasmon resonance,
voltammetry, electronic nose, and electronic tongue, using nanobarcode and wireless technologies, nanosensors have revolutionized sensors in the food and agricultural sectors, and this is just the beginning of their application in practice (Srivastava
et al. 2018).
In the field of plant protection, Singh et al. (2010) have developed a technique for
the detection of Tilletia indica in wheat using immunosensors based on nanogold.
Yao et al. (2009) used silica nanoparticles to detect Xanthomonas axonopodis
pv. vesicatoria in Solanaceae plants. Wang et al. (2012a) used electrode-modified
NPs to detect Sclerotonia sclerotiorum by monitoring the level of salicylic acid in oil
seeds.
Nanosensors utilizing electrochemically functionalized single-walled carbon
nanotubes can be used to detect gases typical of agricultural pollutants, such as
ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds
(Wanekaya et al. 2006).
Nanotechnology may also have a useful impact on the food and animal feed
industry, by changing the method of production, processing, packaging, and transport. Some achievements relating to the introduction of nanotechnology into the
10
A. Gorczyca et al.
of remote sensing, the Global Positioning System (GPS), and Geographic Information System (GIS). Precision systems take detailed measurements of local environmental conditions in order to determine the type and area of problems which may
affect crops. This data is collected and processed. This management approach also
leads to a decrease in the amount of precipitation and in expenditure on labor.
Precision agriculture is already making use of nanosensors, nanobiosensors, and
smart systems for the transport of different compounds based on nanotechnology.
Biosensors are compact analytic devices, which are made up of biological elements
such as proteins, oligonucleotides, cells, or tissues. Biosensors consist of a probe
(a biologically sensitized element, such as a receptor, enzyme, antibody, nucleic
acid, microorganism), a transducer (converts the measurement into computable
electrical power), and a detector (collects and transmits data to the microprocessor
that it amplifies and records the data). NPs increase the efficiency of biosensors by
enabling them to cover a larger area of response. In this technology, carbon
nanotubes, nanowires, nanoparticles, or nanocrystals are used for signal transduction. Nanosensors can be used in precision agriculture for the monitoring of soil and
of the condition of cultivated crops, including the incidence of disease and physiological state. In addition, they can detect residues of pesticides and other polluting
substances in plants or the soil (Shin et al. 2006; Sekhon 2014; Kaushal and Wani
2017; Kim et al. 2018).
As tools of precision agriculture, nanosensors may in the future be decisive in the
sustainable development of agricultural intensification. In this field, they will above
all be used to counter the excessive consumption of water, fertilizers, and pesticides
while maintaining appropriate crop yields (Aktar et al. 2009; Das et al. 2015).
Nanosensors are an effective alternative to traditional, time-consuming analytic
techniques, such as gas spectroscopy or liquid chromatography. Through
multiplexing and real-time detection allowing for detection based on electrochemical, colorimetric, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, surface plasmon resonance,
voltammetry, electronic nose, and electronic tongue, using nanobarcode and wireless technologies, nanosensors have revolutionized sensors in the food and agricultural sectors, and this is just the beginning of their application in practice (Srivastava
et al. 2018).
In the field of plant protection, Singh et al. (2010) have developed a technique for
the detection of Tilletia indica in wheat using immunosensors based on nanogold.
Yao et al. (2009) used silica nanoparticles to detect Xanthomonas axonopodis
pv. vesicatoria in Solanaceae plants. Wang et al. (2012a) used electrode-modified
NPs to detect Sclerotonia sclerotiorum by monitoring the level of salicylic acid in oil
seeds.
Nanosensors utilizing electrochemically functionalized single-walled carbon
nanotubes can be used to detect gases typical of agricultural pollutants, such as
ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds
(Wanekaya et al. 2006).
Nanotechnology may also have a useful impact on the food and animal feed
industry, by changing the method of production, processing, packaging, and transport. Some achievements relating to the introduction of nanotechnology into the
10
A. Gorczyca et al.