article · Frontiers in Microbiology
Rising global populations and climate change make food security a critical challenge. Conventional agrochemicals boost crop yields but degrade soil, cause environmental pollution, and pose health risks. Nanotechnology offers an emerging alternative to improve crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency by delivering nanofertilisers and nanopesticides at lower doses. While these nano-based inputs enhance plant growth, continuous application might harm beneficial microorganisms living in the rhizosphere and endosphere. These microbes are vital for nutrient uptake, overall plant growth, and disease prevention. The effects of nanoparticles on microbial diversity and function remain under-explored. Addressing these impacts is essential to develop sustainable and precision agricultural practices that deploy nano-sized agrochemicals safely.
Modern farming relies heavily on agrochemicals that damage soil health and ecosystems. Nanofertilisers and nanopesticides offer a way to cut chemical inputs while sustaining crop yields. However, understanding their impact on vital soil and plant microbes is necessary before these technologies can be safely integrated into sustainable farming systems to support future food security.
This work relates to the development and deployment of nanofertilisers and nanopesticides for agricultural producers seeking precision inputs with reduced environmental footprints. Because the abstract indicates that the biological impacts on essential plant microbes remain under-explored, this field is at an early research stage. Further safety and functional studies are necessary before widespread commercial adoption and regulatory clearance can occur.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Globally, food security has become a critical concern due to the rise in human population and the current climate change crisis. Usage of conventional agrochemicals to maximize crop yields has resulted in the degradation of fertile soil, environmental pollution as well as human and agroecosystem health risks. Nanotechnology in agriculture is a fast-emerging and new area of research explored to improve crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency using nano-sized agrochemicals at lower doses than conventional agrochemicals. Nanoparticles in agriculture are applied as nanofertilizers and/or nanopesticides. Positive results have been observed in terms of plant growth when using nano-based agricultural amendments. However, their continuous application may have adverse effects on plant-associated rhizospheric and endospheric microorganisms which often play a crucial role in plant growth, nutrient uptake, and disease prevention. While research shows that the application of nanoparticles has the potential to improve plant growth and yield, their effect on the diversity and function of plant-associated microorganisms remains under-explored. This review provides an overview of plant-associated microorganisms and their functions. Additionally, it highlights the response of plant-associated microorganisms to nanoparticle application and provides insight into areas of research required to promote sustainable and precision agricultural practices that incorporate nanofertilizers and nanopesticides.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1354440
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
