This book provides a thorough analysis of the progressive journey in agriculture from green revolution to nano revolution, with recommendations of certain key points to be addressed in current and future agri-nanotechnology research, on the basis of recognized knowledge gaps. It is hoped that the current volume will serve as a reference book for students, scientists, professors, teachers and researchers who are involved in the study and research on the various aspects of agri-nanotechnology.

• Emerging Trends in Agri-nanotechnology: Fundamental and Applied Aspects
• Copyright
• Contents
• About the Editors
• Contributors
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• 1 Rewinding the History of Agriculture and Emergence of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 A Brief Outline of Nanotechnology-based Researches in Agriculture
  • 1.3 Achieving Sustainability in Agriculture Through Nanotechnology: What Are the Possibilities?
  • 1.4 Challenges in Forthcoming Years
  • 1.5 Future Approach
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 2 Use of Nanomaterials in Agriculture: Potential Benefits and Challenges
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Nanobiotechnology in the Context of Agriculture
  • 2.3 Evaluation of Nanoagrochemical Toxicity: Studies in Laboratory Models and Environmental Impact
  • 2.4 In Vitro and In Vivo Safety Evaluation of Nanoagrochemicals
  • 2.5 Regulation: Is it the Greater Challenge for Use of Nanoagrochemicals?
  • 2.6 Conclusions
  • References
• 3 Green Nanotechnology for Enhanced Productivity in Agriculture
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Nanotechnologies for Enhanced Productivity in Agriculture
    • 3.2.1 Nanofertilizers
    • 3.2.2 Nanofibres
    • 3.2.3 Nanopesticides and nanoherbicides
    • 3.2.4 Smart drug-delivery systems
    • 3.2.5 Nanosensors
    • 3.2.6 Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
  • 3.3 Nanoparticles
  • 3.4 Knowledge Gap
  • 3.5 Conclusion
  • References
• 4 Nanonutrient from Fungal Protein: Future Prospects on Crop Production
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Synthesis of Nanonutrients by Microorganism
  • 4.3 Factors Affecting Synthesis of Nanoparticles
  • 4.4 Characterization of Biosynthesized Nanoparticles
    • 4.4.1 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
    • 4.4.2 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
    • 4.4.3 Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
    • 4.4.4 X-ray diffraction (XRD)
    • 4.4.5 Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
    • 4.4.6 EDX
    • 4.4.7 Particle size analyser (PSA)
  • 4.5 Application of Nanonutrients
  • 4.6 Effect of Biosynthesized Nanonutrients
  • 4.7 Nanonutrient for Enhancement of Gum Production
  • 4.8 Nanonutrient on Crop Yields
  • 4.9 Safety Assessment of Nanonutrients
  • 4.10 Conclusion and Future Prospects
  • References
• 5 Multifarious Applications of Nanotechnology for Enhanced Productivity in Agriculture
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Early Detection of Diseases, Pests and Nutrient Deficiencies Using Nano-Based Diagnostic Kits
  • 5.3 Nanoagricultural Inputs
    • 5.3.1 Nanofertilizers
  • 5.4 Nanotechnology for Rainfed Agriculture
    • 5.4.1 Moisture conservation
  • 5.5 Weed Management
  • 5.6 Nanotechnology for Plant Protection
  • 5.7 Nanoparticles for Seed Invigoration
    • 5.7.1 Emerging nanotechnologies in seed quality enhancement
  • 5.8 Conclusion
  • References
• 6 Different Methods of Nanoparticle Synthesis and Their Comparative Agricultural Applications
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 Significance and Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
    • 6.2.1 Role of nanotechnology in fertilizers
    • 6.2.2 Nanopesticides
  • 6.3 Development of Different Methodologies for Nanoparticle Formation
    • 6.3.1 Chemical method of nanoparticle synthesis
    • 6.3.2 Physical method of nanoparticle synthesis
    • 6.3.3 Biological methods of nanoparticle synthesis
      • Nanoparticles synthesis using microorganisms
      • Nanoparticles synthesis using plant extract(s)
      • Nanoparticle synthesis using biological molecules
  • 6.4 Emergence of Biological Methods and Comparative Advantages of Biosynthesized NPs Over Chemically Synthesized NPs
  • 6.5 Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 7 Nanotoxicity to Agroecosystem: Impact on Soil and Agriculture
  • 7.1 Introduction
  • 7.2 Impact of Nanoparticles on Soil Environment
  • 7.3 Toxicity of Nanoparticles to Soil Microflora
  • 7.4 Nanoparticle-induced Phytotoxicity
  • 7.5 Translocation of Nanoparticles via Root Uptake
  • 7.6 Mechanism of Phytotoxicity
  • 7.7 Are Ions or Nanoparticles Responsible for Toxicity?
  • 7.8 Minimizing the Negative Impact on Agroecosystem: A Challenge
  • 7.9 Future Perspectives
  • 7.10 Conclusions
  • References
• 8 Factors Affecting the Fate, Transport, Bioavailability and Toxicity of Nanoparticles in the Agroecosystem
  • 8.1 Introduction
  • 8.2 Phytotoxicity of Nanoparticles
  • 8.3 Effect of Nanoparticles on Soil Microbial Populations
  • 8.4 Particle Size-dependent Toxicity
  • 8.5 Sources and Status
  • 8.6 Fate of Nanoparticles After Use and Generation of Nanowaste
  • 8.7 Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 9 Nanotechnology: Comprehensive Understanding of Interaction, Toxicity and the Fate of Biosynthesized Nanoparticles in the Agroecosystem
  • 9.1 Introduction
  • 9.2 Classification and Source of Nanoparticles (NPs)
  • 9.3 Need
  • 9.4 Production
  • 9.5 Interaction of Nanoparticles with Agroecosystem Components
    • 9.5.1 Soil and soil biota
    • 9.5.2 Plant system
  • 9.6 Nanoformulations of Agrochemicals for Crop Improvement
  • 9.7 Role of Nanosensors in Monitoring and Detection of Plant Diseases
  • 9.8 Nanodevices for the Delivery of Genetic Material in Plants and Animals to Develop Resistant Strains and Varieties
  • 9.9 Nanotechnology in Water Treatment and Reuse
  • 9.10 The Transport and Fate of Nanoparticles in the Agroecosystem
  • 9.11 Uptake Mechanism of Plant for ENPs
  • 9.12 Translocation Mechanism of ENPs
  • 9.13 Transmission Mechanism
  • 9.14 Fate of NPs
  • 9.15 Toxicity
    • 9.15.1 Reasons for toxicity
    • 9.15.2 Phytotoxicity mechanism of ENPs
  • 9.16 Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Aquatic Ecosystem
  • 9.17 Risk Assessments
  • 9.18 Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 10 Global Market of Nanomaterials and Colloidal Formulations for Agriculture: An Overview
  • 10.1 Introduction
  • 10.2 Applications of Nanomaterials and Colloidal Formulations in Agricultural Science
    • 10.2.1 Sustained release formulations
    • 10.2.2 Plant growth and soil management
    • 10.2.3 Nanosensors/nanobiosensors
  • 10.3 Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives
  • Acknowledgements
  • Conflict of Interest Statement
  • Bibliography
• 11 The Responsible Development of Nanoproducts – Lessons from the Past
  • 11.1 Highlights of Nanotechnology Development across the Globe
  • 11.2 The Nanotechnology Initiatives in India – NSTI and Nano Mission
  • 11.3 Standard Definitions: Are We Using Them Appropriately?
  • 11.4 Interdisciplinary Nature of Nanotechnology
  • 11.5 Public Acceptability
  • 11.6 Nano-divide
  • 11.7 Early Warnings and Recommendations
    • 11.7.1 Risk assessment of nanoproducts
    • 11.7.2 Size and surface area
  • 11.8 Amount of Nanomaterial in a Nanoproduct
  • 11.9 Environmental Hazard
  • 11.10 Occupational Hazard
  • 11.11 Marketing of Nanoproducts
    • 11.11.1 Increasing research in agri-nanotechnology, but no apparent commercially available products
    • 11.11.2 Concerns of the industries regarding labelling of nanotech-based products
  • 11.12 Mistakes Made and Lessons to be Learned
    • 11.12.1 The asbestos case study
    • 11.12.2 Hazardous carbon nanotubes that resemble asbestos
    • 11.12.3 Carcinogenic titanium dioxide nanoparticles
    • 11.12.4 Silver nanoparticles
  • 11.13 Concluding Remarks
  • References
• 12 Nanotechnology Application and Emergence in Agriculture
  • 12.1 Introduction
  • 12.2 Nanotechnology Application on Agriculture
  • 12.3 Water Sources
  • 12.4 Nanosensors and Smart Delivery Systems
  • 12.5 Genetically Developed Plants
  • 12.6 Drug and Gene Delivery Systems
  • 12.7 Benefits and Drawbacks of Nanotechnology Applications in Agriculture
  • 12.8 Conclusion
  • References
• 13 Positive and Negative Effects of Nanotechnology
  • 13.1 Introduction
  • 13.2 Positive Effects of Nanotechnology
    • 13.2.1 Effect of nanoparticles (NPs) in improving plant growth and its chemical composition under normal conditions
    • 13.2.2 Effect of nanoparticles on plant growth and its chemical composition under environmental stresses
  • 13.3 Non-Beneficial Effect of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Its Chemical Composition Under Normal and Stressed Conditions
  • 13.4 Conclusion
  • References
• 14 Vanguard Nano(bio)sensor Technologies Fostering the Renaissance of Agriculture
  • 14.1 Introduction
  • 14.2 Nanotechnology in the Agri-food Sector
  • 14.3 Nanotechnology in Smart Agriculture
  • 14.4 Nano(bio)sensors
    • 14.4.1 Nanosensors to detect soil humidity
    • 14.4.2 Nano(bio)sensors to detect soil nutrients
    • 14.4.3 Nano(bio)sensors to detect pesticides
    • 14.4.4 Nano(bio)sensors to detect plant pathogens and pests
  • 14.5 The Nanobiosensor Trade
  • 14.6 Future Perspectives and Conclusions
  • References
• 15 Current Trends and Future Priorities of Nanofertilizers
  • 15.1 Introduction
  • 15.2 Current Trends
    • 15.2.1 Controlled and efficient delivery of nutrients
    • 15.2.2 Nanotechnology for recovery of nutrients
  • 15.3 Trends in Nanofertilizers
    • 15.3.1 Back to the basics: reverse-engineering nature
    • 15.3.2 Prospect of nanofertilizer
  • 15.4 Perspectives, Gaps and Obstacles
  • References
• 16 Biosafety and Regulatory Aspects of Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food
  • 16.1 Introduction
  • 16.2 Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food
  • 16.3 Biosafety Issues Regarding the Use of Nanoparticles
  • 16.4 Regulation
  • 16.5 Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 17 Implication of Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Water and Air Pollution
  • 17.1 Introduction
  • 17.2 Nanoparticles in Wastewater Treatment
    • 17.2.1 Dendrimers in water treatment
    • 17.2.2 Metal nanoparticle
    • 17.2.3 Zeolite
    • 17.2.4 Carbonaceous nanoparticle
  • 17.3 Nanoparticles for the Adsorption of Toxic Gases
    • 17.3.1 Adsorption of dioxins
    • 17.3.2 NOx adsorption
    • 17.3.3 CO 2 capture
    • 17.3.4 Removal of volatile organic compounds from air
  • 17.4 Conclusions
  • References
• 18 Role of Nanotechnology in Insect Pest Management
  • 18.1 Introduction
  • 18.2 What is Nanotechnology?
  • 18.3 Nanoparticles
  • 18.4 Nanoencapsulation
  • 18.5 Application of Nanotechnology
    • 18.5.1 Other applications of nanotechnology
    • 18.5.2 Areas of nanoscience research in agriculture and food science
    • 18.5.3 Natural nanoparticles in insects
    • 18.5.4 Nanotechnology in migrational studies
    • 18.5.5 Nanopesticides
  • 18.6 Categories of Nanopesticides
  • 18.7 Safety of Nanoinsecticides
  • 18.8 Conclusion
  • References
• Index