Nano Fertilizer in Crop Production: The Changing Scenario
M. R. Nandhakumar *
Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi – 642 103, (Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu India and Accredited by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi)), Tamil Nadu, India.
R. Muthukrishnan
Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi – 642 103, (Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu India and Accredited by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi)), Tamil Nadu, India.
T. Pradeesh Kumar
VIT University, Vellore, India.
P. Sureshkumar
Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi – 642 103, (Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu India and Accredited by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi)), Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Nandini
Seed Certification Officer, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu State Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
While the world's population is growing exponentially, there is an alarming increase in the need for food, which might reach a record nine billion people by 2050. In order to address the issue of rising food demand, a number of initiatives are being put into place to boost crop output and safeguard them against agricultural pests. The growing population pressures agricultural civilization to develop fresh strategies for boosting crop output. For nations all across the world, the issue of poverty and malnutrition has grown to be of great concern. Progress in the agricultural sector, which provides the raw materials for the food and feed industries, is crucial for both economic development and population expansion. With economic development, the soil nutrient balances are differed. Soil fertility is important in developing countries for assisting the economy and agriculture. There is a high demand in the twenty-first century for efficient, reliable, and cost-effective systems for detecting, supplying, monitoring, and diagnosing biological host molecules and nutrients. Traditional farming methods are incapable of keeping up with the rate at which food needs are increasing, so we must rely on and incorporate nanotechnology in agriculture and related sectors. In modern agriculture, increasing agricultural productivity is impossible without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; however, the majority of agrochemicals are not eco-friendly and are thus harmful to human health. Nanotechnology is a novel technique for improved and sustainable agricultural production and also harbours a good capacity to bring novel alterations in the agricultural systems. Nanotechnology introduces new technologies and materials for use in molecular biology for the identification of plant pathogenic microorganisms. By bringing novel methods for distributing nutrients through nano fertilizers, specialized pathogen-targeted treatment, and boosting plant pest-resistance, nanotechnology has the potential to change the agricultural industry. Moreover, it can increase plants' ability to absorb nutrients and to endure environmental stresses. The fertility of the soil is a key factor in helping the economy and agriculture in developing nations. The benefits of strategies using nanotechnology for sustainable agriculture are covered here.
Keywords: Pathogen-targeted treatment, nanotechnology, agricultural civilization, nano fertilizers