DOI: https://doi.org/10.21276/AATCCReview.2025.13.01.353

Abstract

Agriculture, historically pivotal and stable, faces pressing challenges amidst global population
growth and dwindling natural resources. To meet these challenges sustainably, agriculture must
integrate social inclusion, health, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship into cohesive
strategies. Nanotechnology plays a crucial role here, with applications such as nanofertilizers,
nanopesticides, and nanosensors optimizing nutrient delivery, enhancing pest control, and
monitoring soil health. These advancements promise to mitigate the adverse impacts of
conventional agricultural practices, ensuring food security while promoting environmental
conservation. Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a crucial tool in modern agriculture, poised to
become a significant economic driver. This science manipulates materials at the nano-scale,
revolutionizing agricultural production, processing, storage, packaging, and transportation. By
employing novel chemical agents and delivery systems, nanotechnology enhances crop productivity
while reducing reliance on bulk agrochemicals, thus facilitating precision farming and addressing
challenges like weed management and environmental contamination. Nano-herbicides and metal
nanoparticles offer innovative solutions to persistent agricultural issues, demonstrating promising
results in improving crop yields and sustainability. In India, the widespread use of pesticides,
weedicides and fertilizers has raised environmental and health concerns, prompting the
development of nanopesticides, nano-herbicides, and nano-fertilizers. These nano-sized
formulations offer improved efficacy and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional
fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, though concerns persist about their long-term effects post-
application. Despite its potential, the adoption of nanotechnology in agriculture faces challenges,
including concerns over nanoparticle toxicity and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, the high
cost of nanomaterials, limited farmer awareness, and the need for specialized infrastructure pose
significant barriers to widespread implementation. Research efforts focus on understanding
nanoparticle interactions with plants at molecular levels, aiming to unlock their full potential in
enhancing crop resilience and productivity. However, further advancements are needed to bridge

the gap between laboratory research and practical field applications, ensuring responsible and
effective deployment of nanotechnologies in agriculture.

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