cell membrane disruption; (2) ROS production; (3) induction
of intracellular antibacterial effects following entry into the
cell variously (including impact on DNA replication as well
as inhibition of protein synthesis) (Aziz et al. 2015; Wang
et al. 2017).
7 Future Perspectives: Identification of Gaps
and Obstacles
Despite immense smart applications of nanotechnology in
agriculture, multiple issues, critical to human and environmental health and sustainability, remain to be resolved with
advancement in nanotechnology applications in the area of
agriculture. Some key areas requiring critical attention are:
(i) hybrid carriers development for delivering nutrients,
pesticides and fertilizers to maximize their efficiency in
agricultural production (De Oliveira et al. 2014); (ii) risk and
life-cycle assessment of NMs (i.e., phytotoxicity) on
non-target microorganisms, plants and pollinators insects;
and (iii) strict regulations for the use of NMs based on
fundamental scientific findings.
The implementation of nanotechnology in agriculture
requires even higher technical advancement, enabling ENPs
quantification at lowest possible concentrations, present in
different environmental compartments for its life-cycle
assessment (Kookana et al. 2014; Sadik et al. 2014; Parisi
et al. 2015). ENPs interaction with organisms (target as well
as non-target) and the presence of synergistic effects are
undeniable. Therefore, infrastructure and methodologies to
characterize, localize, and quantify ENPs in the environments should be developed beforehand, mobilizing knowledge exchange and co-ordination between scientists across
research fields throughout the world (Malysheva et al. 2015).
In time to come, these ENPs would provide us enormous
potential in identifying cutting edge and cost- and
time-effective development routes to achieve smart human
civilization across the globe.
8 Conclusion
It is a ripe time to take a modern knowledge and tools in
agricultural management to prepare ourselves self-sufficient
to feed the growing population in a sustainable manner,
under changing climate conditions, without damaging our
environment any further. The emergence of engineered
nano-materials application for achieving sustainable agriculture has revolutionized world agriculture to meet global
food demand in environmentally sound and resource
efficient manner, with reduced farming risks at the same
time. These nanotechnology applications take us forward to
efficiently use the natural resources, via nano-scale carriers
and compounds to avoid loss and overdose of pesticides and
fertilizers, causing pollution. Similar smart applications can
be found today across the food supply chain, starting from
agricultural production, animal feed, food processing, and
additives, with ever-growing importance. Despite having
plenty of information available on individual nano-materials
in relation to agricultural benefits, theirs unpredictable
course of eco-toxicity level, once they reach in our environment, is still challenging, which can be largely attributed
to the scanty understanding of risk assessment, particularly
in relation to human and environmental health. Therefore,
we need to strike a balance between nanotechnology applications and implications in agriculture and food production,
as this smart technology stands a better place to promote
social and economic equity as well. Also, we have to thoroughly perform a reliable risk–benefit assessment, and full
cost accounting evaluation before open field applications.
Likewise, reliable methods to characterize and quantify these
NMs in different environmental compartments, and evaluation of their interaction with bio-macromolecules present in
living systems and environments must be given top priority.
At the same time, development of comprehensive database
and alarm system with multidisciplinary collaborative
mindset, as well as international cooperation in regulation
and legislation are necessary for potential exploitation of this
ENP technology. Furthermore, engaging all stakeholders
including non-governmental (NGOs) and consumer associations in an open dialogue to acquire consumer acceptance
and public support for this technology is also critically
required.
Author Contributions
PS* developed the idea in major consolation with RS and
RB, which was revised with the help of RS, RB, DBP, PS,
and SNT. All authors have proofread and approved the final
draft of the chapter.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in
the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that
could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank University
Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for providing funding
support as Start-up Grant (BSR): No. F 30-461/2019 (PS), JRF/SRF
(RS) and DS Kothari fellowship (RB). Also, the corresponding author
would like to acknowledge the University of Allahabad and Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee Government PG college for their infrastructural and
other supports in developing a research facility.
Engineered Nanoparticles in Smart Agricultural Revolution …
13
of intracellular antibacterial effects following entry into the
cell variously (including impact on DNA replication as well
as inhibition of protein synthesis) (Aziz et al. 2015; Wang
et al. 2017).
7 Future Perspectives: Identification of Gaps
and Obstacles
Despite immense smart applications of nanotechnology in
agriculture, multiple issues, critical to human and environmental health and sustainability, remain to be resolved with
advancement in nanotechnology applications in the area of
agriculture. Some key areas requiring critical attention are:
(i) hybrid carriers development for delivering nutrients,
pesticides and fertilizers to maximize their efficiency in
agricultural production (De Oliveira et al. 2014); (ii) risk and
life-cycle assessment of NMs (i.e., phytotoxicity) on
non-target microorganisms, plants and pollinators insects;
and (iii) strict regulations for the use of NMs based on
fundamental scientific findings.
The implementation of nanotechnology in agriculture
requires even higher technical advancement, enabling ENPs
quantification at lowest possible concentrations, present in
different environmental compartments for its life-cycle
assessment (Kookana et al. 2014; Sadik et al. 2014; Parisi
et al. 2015). ENPs interaction with organisms (target as well
as non-target) and the presence of synergistic effects are
undeniable. Therefore, infrastructure and methodologies to
characterize, localize, and quantify ENPs in the environments should be developed beforehand, mobilizing knowledge exchange and co-ordination between scientists across
research fields throughout the world (Malysheva et al. 2015).
In time to come, these ENPs would provide us enormous
potential in identifying cutting edge and cost- and
time-effective development routes to achieve smart human
civilization across the globe.
8 Conclusion
It is a ripe time to take a modern knowledge and tools in
agricultural management to prepare ourselves self-sufficient
to feed the growing population in a sustainable manner,
under changing climate conditions, without damaging our
environment any further. The emergence of engineered
nano-materials application for achieving sustainable agriculture has revolutionized world agriculture to meet global
food demand in environmentally sound and resource
efficient manner, with reduced farming risks at the same
time. These nanotechnology applications take us forward to
efficiently use the natural resources, via nano-scale carriers
and compounds to avoid loss and overdose of pesticides and
fertilizers, causing pollution. Similar smart applications can
be found today across the food supply chain, starting from
agricultural production, animal feed, food processing, and
additives, with ever-growing importance. Despite having
plenty of information available on individual nano-materials
in relation to agricultural benefits, theirs unpredictable
course of eco-toxicity level, once they reach in our environment, is still challenging, which can be largely attributed
to the scanty understanding of risk assessment, particularly
in relation to human and environmental health. Therefore,
we need to strike a balance between nanotechnology applications and implications in agriculture and food production,
as this smart technology stands a better place to promote
social and economic equity as well. Also, we have to thoroughly perform a reliable risk–benefit assessment, and full
cost accounting evaluation before open field applications.
Likewise, reliable methods to characterize and quantify these
NMs in different environmental compartments, and evaluation of their interaction with bio-macromolecules present in
living systems and environments must be given top priority.
At the same time, development of comprehensive database
and alarm system with multidisciplinary collaborative
mindset, as well as international cooperation in regulation
and legislation are necessary for potential exploitation of this
ENP technology. Furthermore, engaging all stakeholders
including non-governmental (NGOs) and consumer associations in an open dialogue to acquire consumer acceptance
and public support for this technology is also critically
required.
Author Contributions
PS* developed the idea in major consolation with RS and
RB, which was revised with the help of RS, RB, DBP, PS,
and SNT. All authors have proofread and approved the final
draft of the chapter.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in
the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that
could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank University
Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for providing funding
support as Start-up Grant (BSR): No. F 30-461/2019 (PS), JRF/SRF
(RS) and DS Kothari fellowship (RB). Also, the corresponding author
would like to acknowledge the University of Allahabad and Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee Government PG college for their infrastructural and
other supports in developing a research facility.
Engineered Nanoparticles in Smart Agricultural Revolution …
13