Role of Nanosensors for Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Plant and Soil Relationships

The agricultural sector serves as the primary foundation upon which the worldwide human population relies to fulfil their basic energy requirements. The current agricultural landscape is faced with significant challenges, mostly driven by the escalating global population and diminishing crop productivity. These challenges are primarily attributed to a multitude of biotic and abiotic stresses, which have emerged as key concerns in the field of agriculture. The process of urbanisation and modernisation in the agricultural sector has resulted in significant acceleration in the production of diverse raw materials. Nevertheless, the widespread use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has been found to have detrimental consequences for both human health and the biodiversity of plant and animal species. The existing traditional procedures are inadequate for addressing the entirety of these difficulties. Therefore, it is imperative to explore alternate ways that are more efficient in response to immediate requirements. Within this particular context, the utilisation of nanotechnology (NT) has the potential to serve as an intelligent and efficient measure in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture. In recent decades, there has been significant growth in the field of NT. This advancement has led to the creation of efficient and cost-effective nanosensors (NSs) that can rapidly detect various contaminants present in natural agroecosystems. Importantly, these NSs have the added benefit of being safe for human health. The coalescence of NT and biotechnology has resulted in the creation of advanced NSs capable of detecting and diagnosing soil shortages and environmental conditions. This chapter centres on the examination of current applications, potential future prospects, and associated obstacles to integrating NT into agricultural practices.