Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture and
Cosmetics.
❖ Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture.
Nanotechnology provides new agrochemical agents and new delivery
mechanisms to improve crop productivity, and it promises to reduce
pesticides applications. Nanotechnology can increase agricultural
production, and its application includes:
(1) Nanoformulations of agrochemicals for applying pesticides and
fertilizers for crop improvement:
The application of nanoherbicides and nanopesticides for the management of
weed and pests have significantly increased crop productivity. Different
types of nanoparticles such as polymeric nanoparticles and inorganic
nanoparticles are utilized for the nanoherbicide formulations.
Scientists have developed various routes for the efficient delivery of
herbicides. For example, poly (epsiloncaprolactone) nanoparticles
encapsulate atrazine, a herbicide. This nanocapsule showed strong control of
the targeted species, reduced genotoxicity level, and could also significantly
decrease the atrazine mobility in the soil.
(2) The application of nanosensors in crop protection for the identification
of diseases and residues of agrochemicals:
Nanobiosensors are highly sensitive and specific when compared to
conventional biosensors. These devices convert biological responses to
electrical responses via a microprocessor. Nanobiosensors offer a real-time
signal monitoring and are involved in direct or indirect detection of
pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic resistance, pesticides, toxin, and
heavy metal contaminants. This technology is also used to monitor crop
stress, soil health, plant growth, nutrient content, and food quality.
, (3) Nanodevices for the genetic engineering of plants:
Seed quality is an important factor which crop productivity depends on.It
has been observed that carbon nanotubes can enter the hard seed coat of
tomatoes and significantly improve the germination index and plant growth.
Similarly, the germination percentage increased when soybean and corn
seeds were sprayed with a multiwall carbon nanotube. Various nano
treatments are available to enhance the germination index of plants.
(4) Nanomaterials for disease management:
Huge agricultural losses are incurred annually owing to microbial (virus,
fungus, and bacteria) infections. Nanomaterials with specific antimicrobial
properties help prevent microbial infestations. Some of the common
pathogenic fungi that cause diseases are Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Dematophora
necatrix. Several nanoparticles such as nickel ferrite nanoparticles and
copper nanoparticles, have a strong antifungal property and are effectively
used in disease management. In the case of viral infection treatment,
chitosan nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and silica nanoparticles are
effective against viral diseases such as mosaic virus for tobacco, potato, and
alfalfa.
(5) Nanofertilizers
Scientists have used nanotechnology to design a smart delivery system that
would release nutrients in a slow and controlled manner to the targeted site
to tackle nutrient deficiency in plants.
Nanofertilizers increase crop productivity by enhancing the availability of
essential nutrients to the plant.
A significant increase in the yields of millet and cluster beans was found
after the application of nanophosphorus fertilizers in arid conditions.
Chitosan nanoparticles suspensions containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and
sodium have also increased crop production.
(6) Postharvest management:
The post-harvest loss estimates are one-third of food products every year and
is one of the important issues in storage of fruits and vegetables. These
Cosmetics.
❖ Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture.
Nanotechnology provides new agrochemical agents and new delivery
mechanisms to improve crop productivity, and it promises to reduce
pesticides applications. Nanotechnology can increase agricultural
production, and its application includes:
(1) Nanoformulations of agrochemicals for applying pesticides and
fertilizers for crop improvement:
The application of nanoherbicides and nanopesticides for the management of
weed and pests have significantly increased crop productivity. Different
types of nanoparticles such as polymeric nanoparticles and inorganic
nanoparticles are utilized for the nanoherbicide formulations.
Scientists have developed various routes for the efficient delivery of
herbicides. For example, poly (epsiloncaprolactone) nanoparticles
encapsulate atrazine, a herbicide. This nanocapsule showed strong control of
the targeted species, reduced genotoxicity level, and could also significantly
decrease the atrazine mobility in the soil.
(2) The application of nanosensors in crop protection for the identification
of diseases and residues of agrochemicals:
Nanobiosensors are highly sensitive and specific when compared to
conventional biosensors. These devices convert biological responses to
electrical responses via a microprocessor. Nanobiosensors offer a real-time
signal monitoring and are involved in direct or indirect detection of
pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotic resistance, pesticides, toxin, and
heavy metal contaminants. This technology is also used to monitor crop
stress, soil health, plant growth, nutrient content, and food quality.
, (3) Nanodevices for the genetic engineering of plants:
Seed quality is an important factor which crop productivity depends on.It
has been observed that carbon nanotubes can enter the hard seed coat of
tomatoes and significantly improve the germination index and plant growth.
Similarly, the germination percentage increased when soybean and corn
seeds were sprayed with a multiwall carbon nanotube. Various nano
treatments are available to enhance the germination index of plants.
(4) Nanomaterials for disease management:
Huge agricultural losses are incurred annually owing to microbial (virus,
fungus, and bacteria) infections. Nanomaterials with specific antimicrobial
properties help prevent microbial infestations. Some of the common
pathogenic fungi that cause diseases are Colletotrichum
gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Dematophora
necatrix. Several nanoparticles such as nickel ferrite nanoparticles and
copper nanoparticles, have a strong antifungal property and are effectively
used in disease management. In the case of viral infection treatment,
chitosan nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and silica nanoparticles are
effective against viral diseases such as mosaic virus for tobacco, potato, and
alfalfa.
(5) Nanofertilizers
Scientists have used nanotechnology to design a smart delivery system that
would release nutrients in a slow and controlled manner to the targeted site
to tackle nutrient deficiency in plants.
Nanofertilizers increase crop productivity by enhancing the availability of
essential nutrients to the plant.
A significant increase in the yields of millet and cluster beans was found
after the application of nanophosphorus fertilizers in arid conditions.
Chitosan nanoparticles suspensions containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and
sodium have also increased crop production.
(6) Postharvest management:
The post-harvest loss estimates are one-third of food products every year and
is one of the important issues in storage of fruits and vegetables. These
