Benefits, risks, and future prospectives of nanomaterials in sustainable agriculture: a review.
Pandey N, Sharma D, Das A, Singh T, Pant A
Nanotechnology
Nano-scale fertilizers delivering zinc and phosphorus directly to plant roots could one day mean your vegetable garden needs a fraction of the fertilizer it does today — with less runoff into the creek at the end of your street.
Scientists are figuring out how to shrink fertilizers and pesticides down to microscopic sizes so plants can absorb them more efficiently and less ends up washing away into streams. These tiny particles can also be designed to release nutrients slowly and only where needed, cutting waste and harm to beneficial insects. Beyond the field, nano-coatings on food packaging can keep produce fresh longer, reducing how much food gets thrown away.
Key Findings
Nano-fertilizers containing zinc, phosphorus, and nitrogen significantly improve nutrient use efficiency and boost plant resilience to drought and heat stress compared to conventional fertilizers.
Nano-pesticides and nano-herbicides enable targeted delivery of active compounds, reducing overall agrochemical use and minimizing harm to non-target organisms like pollinators and soil microbes.
Antimicrobial nano-coatings and smart packaging systems have been shown to extend post-harvest shelf life and reduce food losses across the supply chain.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Nanotechnology is emerging as a powerful tool for farming — tiny engineered particles can deliver fertilizers and pesticides more precisely, improve soil health, and even keep food fresh longer, all while using fewer chemicals than conventional agriculture.
Abstract Preview
Modern agriculture is under increasing pressure to meet the food demands of a growing global population while reducing the environmental and health impacts associated with intensive chemical inputs...
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