Environmentally benign nanotechnology: transforming elements into nano-agrochemicals for sustainable farming
Divya Yadav, Sumistha Das, Divya Dhillayan, Sashi Yadav, Santosh Bhukal
Abstract
The twenty-first century is widely regarded as the era of nanotechnology, offering cutting-edge solutions across diverse applications, including medicine, cosmetics, electronics, and sustainable environment development. Amidst a growing global population and limited food resources, meeting the ever-increasing demand for food has become a significant challenge. While addressing this demand, the widespread use of agrochemicals has led to heightened residual toxicity, posing serious long-term threats to human health. To counter these issues, numerous eco-friendly strategies have been explored globally. Among these, the application of nanotechnology in smart agriculture and precision farming has emerged as a promising approach. Nanomaterials, with their unique size-dependent properties, have enabled advancements in targeted fertilizer and pesticide delivery, the detection of agrochemical hazards, crop protection, antimicrobial and antifungal applications, and the preservation of soil microbiomes. These innovations offer safer and more sustainable agricultural practices. Green approaches utilizing biological resources have garnered significant attention in synthesizing nanomaterials due to their eco-friendly and biosafe nature, even after prolonged use. This review highlights the novelty of green-synthesized nanomaterials, such as zinc and copper nanoparticles, emphasizing their multifaceted potential in promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. By focusing on green synthesis routes and their agricultural applications, the article provides valuable insights into a cutting-edge approach that bridges the gap between advanced nanotechnology and sustainable farming practices. This review presents a novel perspective on the role of green-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) in sustainable agriculture, highlighting their potential as innovative nano-agrochemicals.