Engineering Native Nanoparticles for Enhancing Functional Attributes and Their Prospects in the Synthesis of Nanoformulations for the Betterment of Agriculture

Agriculture is the major source to fulfill human as well as all animal food demands. Increasing population demand for a higher amount of sustainable food security which can only be ensured with a higher amount of production from a gradually diminishing agricultural fields. For this, crop production has to be increased even under environmental stress conditions. In this connection, the nanoparticles have shown their potential to support enhanced crop production under normal as well as stressed conditions. Modification or customization of the nanoparticles with agronomically beneficial bioactive molecules has been observed to increase the functional properties of the native nanoparticle. This property of engineering the native nanoparticles can be used for synthesizing advanced agrochemicals or nanoformulations which may be more efficient in their functional attributes as compared to the conventional agrochemicals. However, some restrictions need to be eradicated before the proper marketization of these nano-based agrochemicals. In this context, the present chapter discusses the ability of nanoparticles in the field of agriculture and their advancement through different strategies. The development of nanoformulations for their effective use in the agricultural fields in the near future along with the strategies for their commercialization is also discussed.