The Potential of Nanocomposite Fertilizers for Sustainable Crop Production

Modern day agriculture warrants for the crops which are able to take the edge off climate change along with increased productivity. Scale up production, economic viability, mass-scale trials, and involved environmental concerns are the important dimensions in this regard. Imprudent use of conventional fertilizers is a major environmental concern for soil and water reservoirs also leading to lower nutrient utilization in plants. Nanocomposites are playing vital role in advanced agricultural practices with their eco-friendly, biodegradable, economical, and publicly acceptable characteristics. Inclusion of nanocomposites as a support results in cascade signal activation of plant intrinsic immune system improving disease resistance in crop plants. Nutritional values of the crop, increased crop yield, improvement in the acquired plant response/ resistance against broad spectrum of pathogens and withstanding multiple stresses under the dynamic climate conditions with the use of nanocomposites is reviewed in the present work. Related aspects about the endophytic symbiosis of nanocomposites as an alternative to conventional fertilizers for the growth and well-being of the crop are highlighted. The role of nanocomposites in the plant growth, plant physiology, crops quantity, and crops quality are discussed. This compilation will contribute in developing a critical understanding of the current state of the art of nanocomposites as fertilizers.