Nano-enabled agriculture: from nanoparticles to smart nanodelivery systems

Abstract

Environmental contextNano-enabled agriculture holds the promise of enhancing crop production while reducing the environmental impacts of agrochemicals. We review recent developments in the use of nano-fertilisers, nano-additives, nano-pesticides, nano-sensors, nano-cleansers and nano-delivery systems in agriculture. The review highlights the need for systematic studies on nanotoxicity and the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly nanomaterials for future applications. AbstractTo keep pace with the ever-increasing demand of world population (nearly 9.8 billion), worldwide food production will need to increase by 50% by 2050. Nanotechnology innovations show great promise for combating this challenge by delivering a more sustainable, efficient and resilient agricultural system, while promoting food security. Further exploration of nanotechnology applications in agriculture is necessary to realise its potential in manufacturing innovative agrochemicals and novel delivery platforms to enhance crop production and quality. Here, we review the fundamentals of nanotechnology and focus on its potential in agricultural applications. Progress has been made in the development of nano-fertilisers, nano-additives, nano-pesticides, nano-herbicides, nano-bactericides, nano-cleansers and nano-sensors to improve agrochemical efficiency, reduce runoff, enhance plant growth, and diagnose plant nutrition deficiencies and diseases. In addition, nano-delivery systems have been designed to deliver effective components to targeted sites within a plant to provide potential solutions to some devastating crop diseases which cannot be effectively managed with conventional methods. However, nano-enabled agriculture is still in its infancy and its applications are mostly theoretical. Therefore, more research is needed to develop biodegradable, cost-effective and safe nanomaterials for future application. Moreover, systematic studies are crucial to safeguard our food production system, while making efforts to raise public awareness of nanotechnology.