Perspectives of Nanomaterials for Crop Plants Improvement and Practices: Plant and Soil Relationships

In this chapter, we delve into the transformative world of nanotechnology in food and agriculture – a burgeoning field that stands at the forefront of increasing agricultural yields and sustainability. By enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural inputs and minimizing losses, nanotechnology is not just revolutionizing the sector, it's reshaping the future of global food security. This chapter explores how the cutting-edge applications of nanotechnology have led to remarkable advancements in nutrition enhancement, the safe delivery of bioactive compounds and micronutrients, and state-of-the-art food preservation techniques. Agri-nanotechnology, an emergent interdisciplinary field, utilizes nanotechnological techniques to craft an array of nanomaterials such as nanopesticides, nanoherbicides, nanofertilizers, and various nanostructured agrochemicals. These innovations are setting new paradigms in agricultural practices, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemical fertilizers and pesticides that often have adverse effects on the environment and plant life. The chapter highlights how nanomaterials act as sophisticated carriers for agrochemicals, ensuring precise, controlled nutrient delivery that significantly enhances crop protection and yield. It discusses the role of nanotools like nanobiosensors in the meticulous management and control of agricultural inputs, paving the path toward technologically advanced farms. Moreover, it showcases how nanomaterials enhance plants' stress tolerance mechanisms, presenting viable solutions to the challenges of sustainable agricultural production. With their potential to foster disease resistance and augment crop yields, strategies based on nanotechnology are gaining momentum for their transformative impact on agriculture. The adoption of nanoparticles offers myriad benefits, including environmental pollutant reduction, simplified disease diagnosis, ease of preparation, reduced toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. This chapter argues for the increased adoption of nanomaterials in agricultural practices, emphasizing their critical role in enhancing crop growth and advancing toward a more sustainable agricultural future.