article · Discover Agriculture
Agricultural nanoparticles offer mechanisms to enhance crop productivity and address environmental degradation caused by conventional farming practices. Applying nanoparticles in seed priming can raise germination rates by up to 30 percent, whilst nano-fertilisers can boost crop yields by up to 30 percent over traditional options. In addition, smart nutrient delivery systems can increase plant nutrient uptake efficiency by 50 percent. For crop protection, nanobiosensors can enhance pathogen detection sensitivity by up to 90 percent, allowing rapid intervention against disease and supporting data-driven farming decisions. However, agricultural use of nanoparticles presents ecological risks, including potential bioaccumulation in food chains and disruption of soil microbiome diversity. Responsible deployment requires establishing comprehensive risk assessment protocols, developing biodegradable nanomaterials, identifying optimal application dosages, and safeguarding beneficial soil microorganisms.
Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of feeding a growing global population while reducing ecological damage from heavy chemical use and degraded soils. Nanotechnology provides pathways to significantly increase crop yields, target plant nutrients more effectively, and detect plant diseases early. Understanding these tools alongside their environmental risks is vital for developing sustainable farming practices that protect ecosystems and maintain long-term soil health.
These technologies enable applications in crop protection, seed enhancement, soil diagnostics, and smart fertilisation for farmers and agricultural input manufacturers. Reported solutions range from laboratory concepts to applied and tested formulations, such as nano-fertilisers and nanobiosensors. Full commercialisation depends on moving beyond current testing to satisfy comprehensive environmental risk assessments, establish safe dosages, and introduce commercially viable biodegradable nanoparticles that comply with regulatory standards.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The urgent need to enhance food security, coupled with growing environmental concerns, poses significant challenges to sustainable agriculture. Conventional practices often result in soil degradation, reduced nutrient availability, and increased pesticide use, jeopardizing food production and ecosystem health. This review explores nanotechnology’s role in addressing these challenges, focusing on nanoparticles (NPs) as innovative solutions to boost agricultural productivity while maintaining ecological balance. Recent advancements have led to applications such as seed priming for improved germination rates by up to 30%, nanosensors for precise monitoring of environmental and crop health, and smart nutrient delivery systems that can increase nutrient uptake efficiency by 50%. Studies indicate that the use of nano-fertilizers can improve crop yields by up to 30% compared to conventional fertilizers. Additionally, nanobiosensors have been reported to increase pathogen detection sensitivity by up to 90%, facilitating early intervention and reducing crop losses. These innovations aim to enhance food security by improving crop yields and resilience while reducing agriculture's environmental footprint. The review discusses the classification and synthesis of agriculturally relevant NPs, their interactions with plants with emphasis on optimal dosages for growth and stress resistance, and the emergence of nanobiosensors as vital tools for data-driven farming decisions. It also addresses potential environmental concerns, such as impacts on soil microbiome diversity, bioaccumulation in the food chain, and long-term ecosystem stability. To balance agricultural innovation with ecological integrity, the review emphasizes comprehensive risk assessment protocols, the development of biodegradable NPs, and strategies to enhance beneficial soil microorganisms through targeted NP use. Ongoing research is crucial to harmonizing NP potential with stringent environmental standards, advocating for collaborative efforts among scientists, policymakers, and farmers to ensure responsible nanotechnology integration in agriculture.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1007/s44279-025-00159-x
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.
