Nanotechnology-Based Soil Improvement and Conservation for Enhancement of Crop Production

Abstract

The soil degradation and loss of fertile land pose severe threats to global agriculture and environmental sustainability. Soil quality degradation and loss of arable land have become pressing environmental concerns, call for innovative, sustainable, and transformative approaches to soil management, remediation, and restoration. Nanotechnology can be a transformative approach for soil remediation and land restoration. Nanomaterials remarkable properties offers a paradigm shift in soil science and environmental restoration. With their extraordinarily high surface area, tailored reactivity, and adjustable physicochemical characteristics, nanomaterials present a profound opportunity to revolutionize our approach to soil remediation and land rejuvenation. It delves into their intricate synthesis processes, advanced characterization techniques, and the underlying mechanisms governing their actions of nanomaterials and nanocomposites within the soil matrix. Within the realm of soil remediation, nanotechnology emerges as a versatile and potent tool. It excels in adsorbing, immobilizing, and degrading contaminants, including stubborn heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and recalcitrant pesticides. Additionally, the controlled-release capabilities of nano fertilizers come to the fore, facilitating precise nutrient delivery to plants, thereby enhancing fertility of soil and promoting plant growth. Apart from contamination remediation, nano-materials have immense potential to improve soil structure by enhancing water retention, promoting aeration and facilitating nutrient diffusion. This multifaceted approach extends to the realm of bioremediation, where nanotechnology amplifies microbial-mediated processes, elevating enzymatic activities and accelerating contaminant degradation.