NANOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

Crop production and growth severely decrease under stress. Environmental stress conditions such as drought, heat, salinity, cold or pathogen infection can have a devastating impact on plant growth and yield. As traditional approach for crop improvement reach their limits, agriculture has to adopt novel approaches such as nanotechnology to meet the demand of an ever-growing world population. Precision farming has been a long-derived goal to maximize output (i.e. crop yield) while minimize inputs (i.e. fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides etc.) through monitoring environmental variables and applying targeted action. One application of nanotechnology in agriculture addresses low use efficiency of inputs. Controlled release mechanisms via nanoscale carriers avoids temporal overdose, reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals used and minimize input and waste.

Nanosensors are devices that respond to environmental conditions converting them to a useful form of information.  They are capable of detecting very small amounts of contaminants, nutrients, pests and even stress caused by drought, temperature and nutrient deficiencies or pathogen presence. This detection engages nano delivery systems that deliver nutrients to crops with high precision. Smart precision farming makes use of computers, global satellite positioning system (GPS) and remote sensing devices to measure highly localized environmental. Networks of wireless nanosensors positioned throughout cultivated fields guarantee real-time monitoring of the crop growth provide essential data leading to better agronomic practices. Nanotechnology may be developed and deployed for real-time monitoring of the crop growth and field conditions including moisture level, soil fertility, temperature, crop nutrient status, insects, plant diseases, weeds. Networks of wireless nanosensors positioned across cultivated fields provide essential data leading to best agronomic intelligence processes with the aim to minimize resource inputs and maximize output and yield. Smart sensors and smart delivery systems will help in enhancing productivity in agriculture by providing accurate information and thus help maintaining farms and fields with precise control and report timely needs of crops; and consequently helping farmer to make better decision.

               The potential applications and main key focus areas for nanotechnology in agricultural research are:

     ·     Slow release of nanomaterials-assisted fertilizers, biofertilizers           and   micronutrients for efficient use
·      Delivery of nanocides i.e. pesticides encapsulated nanomaterials           for control release,
·        Stabilization of biopesticides with nanomaterials,
·        Agricultural diagnostics,
·        Water retention,
·        Nano-genetic manipulation of agricultural crops,
·        Nano-biosensors,
·        Nano-biofarming.