The Application of Nanotechnology on Plant Nutrition and Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the most versatile emerging technologies, based on producing and utilizing structures of materials possessing dimensions less than 100 nanometers. It is an interdisciplinary field, and its applications in various sciences and industries are expanding rapidly. Industrial agriculture is among the important experiencing swift advancements in nanotechnology. Industrial sectors have seen swift advancements in nanotechnology, which have led to significant advancements in various branches of this industry. In the field of soil science, nanotechnology is being used for effective plant nutrition management through the use of nanofertilizers, controlling soil-borne diseases with nanopesticides, remediation of salinity and removal of pollutants from soil using nanoparticles and porous nanosorbents, enhancing soil moisture retention capacity through superabsorbent nanomaterials, stabilizing erodible soils using nanosilicates and nanopolymers, and providing various chemical and biosensors for precise soil measurement. Despite all these capabilities, the application of nanotechnology in soil faces challenges such as uncertainty lack of knowledge regarding the environmental risks, complex behavior in heterogeneous soil environments, and expensive synthesis and analytical methods of nanomaterials.

Keywords

• Nanotechnology
• plant nutrition
• soil
• agriculture

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