article · Nanoscale
Conventional fertilisers are widely used to meet growing global food demands, but their intensive application causes serious environmental concerns, including soil and water pollution in cereal cropping systems. Nano-fertilisers provide a sustainable alternative by using engineered nanoparticles, typically measuring between 1 and 100 nanometres, such as nanoclays and zeolites. These materials significantly improve nutrient utilisation efficiency by supporting rapid and complete nutrient absorption by plants. In contrast to standard chemical inputs, nano-fertilisers feature controlled-release properties, targeted activity, variable solubility, and lower ecological toxicity. They also offer reliable performance along with straightforward, safe methods for delivery and disposal. By preventing nutrient loss and waste, these formulations foster sustainable crop growth while reducing harmful environmental impacts associated with conventional agricultural practices.
Modern agriculture relies heavily on chemical fertilisers that pollute waterways and degrade soils. Nano-fertilisers offer a cleaner alternative by delivering nutrients directly and efficiently to crops. This precision prevents chemical waste, protects surrounding ecosystems, and supports long-term food security by maintaining productive crop yields without the environmental damage associated with conventional farming inputs.
The abstract outlines applications for agricultural input manufacturers and cereal farmers seeking improved nutrient efficiency and lower environmental harm. While materials like nanoclays and zeolites demonstrate clear operational advantages over standard fertilisers, the text reflects a synthesised review of global utilisation rather than specific stage-gated field trials, indicating that commercial deployment depends on existing formulation maturity and regional regulatory acceptance.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The escalating global demand for food production has predominantly relied on the extensive application of conventional fertilizers (CFs). However, the increased use of CFs has raised concerns regarding environmental risks, including soil and water contamination, especially within cereal-based cropping systems. In response, the agricultural sector has witnessed the emergence of healthier alternatives by utilizing nanotechnology and nano-fertilizers (NFs). These innovative NFs harness the remarkable properties of nanoparticles, ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm, such as nanoclays and zeolites, to enhance nutrient utilization efficiency. Unlike their conventional counterparts, NFs offer many advantages, including variable solubility, consistent and effective performance, controlled release mechanisms, enhanced targeted activity, reduced eco-toxicity, and straightforward and safe delivery and disposal methods. By facilitating rapid and complete plant absorption, NFs effectively conserve nutrients that would otherwise go to waste, mitigating potential environmental harm. Moreover, their superior formulations enable more efficient promotion of sustainable crop growth and production than conventional fertilizers. This review comprehensively examines the global utilization of NFs, emphasizing their immense potential in maintaining environmentally friendly crop output while ensuring agricultural sustainability.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05012b
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.
