Nanotechnology in agriculture: Innovations for sustainability and greenhouse gas mitigation-A review
Deepanjan Mridha, Bishal Lamsal, João Arthur Antonângelo
Abstract
Agriculture must meet the growing demand for food production while minimizing environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool with diverse applications across various sectors, including agriculture. This review highlights the application of different nano-agrochemicals in agriculture, and their role in mitigating GHG emissions. This review also outlines the advantages and risks of using nanomaterials in agriculture. The bibliometric analysis revealed a lack of integrated literature addressing the role of nanotechnology in both agricultural productivity improvement and GHG emission reduction. This underscores the importance of the present review, which brings together these two critical topics under a single framework. Compared to their conventional counterpart, nano-agrochemicals have demonstrated superior performance in enhancing plant growth, yield, and protection. Moreover, their application holds significant potential for reducing GHG emissions from the agricultural sector. However, environmental impacts of nano-agrochemicals on soil nutrient dynamics, properties, and microbial communities remain a concern. Factors such as synthesis method, physicochemical properties, dosage, and particle size significantly influence the suitability of NPs for agricultural applications. Additionally, this review underscores the importance of ecological and environmental sustainability in NP use, particularly in restoring soil microbial health and optimizing NP production for GHG reduction. By critically assessing both the benefits and potential risks of nano-agrochemicals, this review provides a balanced perspective to guide future research and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.