The Perspective of Nanotechnology in Plant Protection
Oluwatoyin Adenike Fabiyi
Abstract
The topical hindrance of obtainable natural resources in agriculture has jeopardized food security. Thus, for the development of sustainable agriculture, positive advancement in crop protection is obligatory. Conventional agriculture is hinged on the application of synthetic pesticides and mineral fertilizers to restrain pest infestation and augment soil nutrients, respectively. This approach has led to alarming environmental pollution on account of the fact that a large amount of the synthetics and minerals linger as residuals in the environment with negative out-turns. The import of this is needless expenses on crop production accompanied by insubstantial yield. To preserve the environment and minimize eco-toxicity of pesticides and other related inputs in agriculture, there is the need to look inwards and embrace nanotechnology to achieve rapid growth with minimum input. An effective concentration of active ingredients on the site of infection is paramount to appropriate crop protection in the face of sundry pest infestation and ensuing crop loss; in this regard, the establishment of a new medium for crop production materials is imperative for the progression of pest control science. Further action in plant protection innovation is considered in this chapter. Contemporary, state-of-the-art and current techniques pertaining to pest suppression, soil fertility and healthy seed practice, which sum up the way forward in crop growth development, are evaluated.