overexploitation of natural resources. Additionally, the lust
for economic growth neglecting the environmental degradation has intensified global sufferings. Therefore, it is
critical to incorporate sustainable approach in agriculture
sector, so that there is holistic development and not just
economic growth (Prasad et al. 2017). Sustainable approach
refers to survival of the present generation, keeping in mind
the needs and existability of future generations (Lélé 1991).
With existential threats of changing climate, food security,
depleting non-renewable energy resources and urban sprawl,
sustainable agriculture is meant to be our sole saviour.
Search for alternatives to strengthen sustainable agriculture
has become inevitable. Several innovations and advancements have been made to address food security and sustainable production challenges (Shang et al. 2019). In such
conditions, nanotechnology has grown as an encouraging
and promising technology to provide efficient solutions to
agricultural issues (Dwivedi et al. 2016).
The term nanotechnology was given by Norio Tanaguchi
in 1974, referring to the manipulation of matter at level of
nanoscale (Prasad et al. 2017). Research has grown exponentially since 1980s, and nanotech advancements have
penetrated everywhere, all across the globe (Ahmed et al.
2013; Kah and Hofmann 2014; Servin et al. 2015; Nuruzzaman et al. 2016). A nanometre is one-billionth on a metre
scale. The physico-chemical properties of the material
change at such a small scale. The alterations at atomic and
molecular level, such as surface area enhancement and
magnetic power development, contribute in changing the
properties at nanoscale and bring about differences in reactivity of atoms (Pokropivny et al. 2007; Sun 2007; Aziz et al.
2015; Prasad et al. 2017). Interestingly, nanotechnology has
boomed in the recent past to promote environmentally safe
practices for sustainable development (Prasad 2014; Ram
et al. 2014).
Green revolution brought about a drastic enhancement in
crop yield (Conway and Barbie 1988; Nin-Pratt 2016).
Humongous amounts of groundwater were pumped out,
more than they could be replenished by rainwater (Gleick
1993; Postel et al. 1996; Presley et al. 2004; Rodell et al.
2009). Such irrigation patterns have been in practice for very
long time and have damaged the soil quality by salt accumulation and accelerated weathering of minerals (Österholm
and Åström 2004; Mukhopadhyay 2005). Similarly, boosting crop production is nearly impossible today without the
use of agrochemicals. The term ‘agrochemical’ is inclusive
of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and weedicides. Addition of fertilizers to soil is essential to increase the soil fertility. Sadly, the excessive application of fertilizers has
damaged the nutrient composition of soil and given rise to
the problem of eutrophication. Further, the damage caused to
nutritional composition of soil has resulted in reduction in
size of arable land. Additionally, the use of insecticides,
pesticides and weedicides has affected the biotic components
of soil and enhanced resistance among pests like insects and
pathogens. Correspondingly, health of animals and human
beings is put to risk and biodiversity loss could be a major
resulting outcome (Prasad et al. 2017; Shang et al. 2019).
Incorporation of sustainable agriculture would mean minimal use of these agrochemicals. The cumulative impacts of
reckless groundwater exploitation and agrochemical application have eventually led to a rise in abandoned arable
lands. The extent of damage, unleashed by these practices,
could still be felt in many parts across the globe (such as
Latin America and India).
Nanomaterials (NMs) have been reported to facilitate the
agricultural input requirements of the soil. They do so by
targeted delivery of the nutrients to plants and plant protection from various diseases. Additionally, with persistent
problems of global warming and changing climate, it is
important that plants adapt to such consistent changes
(Vermeulen et al. 2012). Sensors could be developed to
monitor the soil conditions, prevalence of diseases, plant
health and their growth (Shrivastava and Dash 2009; Giraldo
et al. 2014; Chen et al. 2016). Apart from provisioning of
agrochemicals, NMs like zeolites and nanotubes have been
reported to retain water, which could help in enhancement of
crop production (Navrotsky 2000; Manjaiah et al. 2018;
Tripathi et al. 2018). Nanomaterial engineering, therefore,
has the potential to provide cutting edge technology to boost
crop production, eliminate the harms associated with modern
agricultural practices, decrease the anthropogenic footprint
on environment and enrich the food quality (Singh Sekhon
2014; Liu and Lal 2015; Panpatte et al. 2016; He et al.
2019). Nanotechnology has various agricultural applications
which have been discussed in the upcoming sections.
2 Detection and Control of the Plant
Diseases
Nanomaterials would help in monitoring the diseases
prevalent in food crops. They could target the pathogens,
thereby treating the diseases caused because of them (Philip
2011). A large number of nanoparticles (NPs) have been
used, mainly focusing on nano-forms of silver, gold, carbon
and alumina to control the spreading of diseases (Jo et al.
2009; Sharma et al. 2012). Nano-Ag has been employed on a
wide scale by the researchers (Kim et al. 2012; Prasad and
Swamy 2013). It has been reported to remove unwanted
microbes from the soil, thereby restricting the occurrence of
diseases (Bhattacharyya et al. 2010; Singh et al. 2015a, b).
They do so by altering the biochemical processes of the
microorganisms and preventing the ATP production in them,
consequently killing them and preventing plants from getting affected (Yamanaka et al. 2005; Pal et al. 2007).
32
A. Kumar et al.
for economic growth neglecting the environmental degradation has intensified global sufferings. Therefore, it is
critical to incorporate sustainable approach in agriculture
sector, so that there is holistic development and not just
economic growth (Prasad et al. 2017). Sustainable approach
refers to survival of the present generation, keeping in mind
the needs and existability of future generations (Lélé 1991).
With existential threats of changing climate, food security,
depleting non-renewable energy resources and urban sprawl,
sustainable agriculture is meant to be our sole saviour.
Search for alternatives to strengthen sustainable agriculture
has become inevitable. Several innovations and advancements have been made to address food security and sustainable production challenges (Shang et al. 2019). In such
conditions, nanotechnology has grown as an encouraging
and promising technology to provide efficient solutions to
agricultural issues (Dwivedi et al. 2016).
The term nanotechnology was given by Norio Tanaguchi
in 1974, referring to the manipulation of matter at level of
nanoscale (Prasad et al. 2017). Research has grown exponentially since 1980s, and nanotech advancements have
penetrated everywhere, all across the globe (Ahmed et al.
2013; Kah and Hofmann 2014; Servin et al. 2015; Nuruzzaman et al. 2016). A nanometre is one-billionth on a metre
scale. The physico-chemical properties of the material
change at such a small scale. The alterations at atomic and
molecular level, such as surface area enhancement and
magnetic power development, contribute in changing the
properties at nanoscale and bring about differences in reactivity of atoms (Pokropivny et al. 2007; Sun 2007; Aziz et al.
2015; Prasad et al. 2017). Interestingly, nanotechnology has
boomed in the recent past to promote environmentally safe
practices for sustainable development (Prasad 2014; Ram
et al. 2014).
Green revolution brought about a drastic enhancement in
crop yield (Conway and Barbie 1988; Nin-Pratt 2016).
Humongous amounts of groundwater were pumped out,
more than they could be replenished by rainwater (Gleick
1993; Postel et al. 1996; Presley et al. 2004; Rodell et al.
2009). Such irrigation patterns have been in practice for very
long time and have damaged the soil quality by salt accumulation and accelerated weathering of minerals (Österholm
and Åström 2004; Mukhopadhyay 2005). Similarly, boosting crop production is nearly impossible today without the
use of agrochemicals. The term ‘agrochemical’ is inclusive
of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and weedicides. Addition of fertilizers to soil is essential to increase the soil fertility. Sadly, the excessive application of fertilizers has
damaged the nutrient composition of soil and given rise to
the problem of eutrophication. Further, the damage caused to
nutritional composition of soil has resulted in reduction in
size of arable land. Additionally, the use of insecticides,
pesticides and weedicides has affected the biotic components
of soil and enhanced resistance among pests like insects and
pathogens. Correspondingly, health of animals and human
beings is put to risk and biodiversity loss could be a major
resulting outcome (Prasad et al. 2017; Shang et al. 2019).
Incorporation of sustainable agriculture would mean minimal use of these agrochemicals. The cumulative impacts of
reckless groundwater exploitation and agrochemical application have eventually led to a rise in abandoned arable
lands. The extent of damage, unleashed by these practices,
could still be felt in many parts across the globe (such as
Latin America and India).
Nanomaterials (NMs) have been reported to facilitate the
agricultural input requirements of the soil. They do so by
targeted delivery of the nutrients to plants and plant protection from various diseases. Additionally, with persistent
problems of global warming and changing climate, it is
important that plants adapt to such consistent changes
(Vermeulen et al. 2012). Sensors could be developed to
monitor the soil conditions, prevalence of diseases, plant
health and their growth (Shrivastava and Dash 2009; Giraldo
et al. 2014; Chen et al. 2016). Apart from provisioning of
agrochemicals, NMs like zeolites and nanotubes have been
reported to retain water, which could help in enhancement of
crop production (Navrotsky 2000; Manjaiah et al. 2018;
Tripathi et al. 2018). Nanomaterial engineering, therefore,
has the potential to provide cutting edge technology to boost
crop production, eliminate the harms associated with modern
agricultural practices, decrease the anthropogenic footprint
on environment and enrich the food quality (Singh Sekhon
2014; Liu and Lal 2015; Panpatte et al. 2016; He et al.
2019). Nanotechnology has various agricultural applications
which have been discussed in the upcoming sections.
2 Detection and Control of the Plant
Diseases
Nanomaterials would help in monitoring the diseases
prevalent in food crops. They could target the pathogens,
thereby treating the diseases caused because of them (Philip
2011). A large number of nanoparticles (NPs) have been
used, mainly focusing on nano-forms of silver, gold, carbon
and alumina to control the spreading of diseases (Jo et al.
2009; Sharma et al. 2012). Nano-Ag has been employed on a
wide scale by the researchers (Kim et al. 2012; Prasad and
Swamy 2013). It has been reported to remove unwanted
microbes from the soil, thereby restricting the occurrence of
diseases (Bhattacharyya et al. 2010; Singh et al. 2015a, b).
They do so by altering the biochemical processes of the
microorganisms and preventing the ATP production in them,
consequently killing them and preventing plants from getting affected (Yamanaka et al. 2005; Pal et al. 2007).
32
A. Kumar et al.