Nano-fertilizers and Plant Biodiversity: A Pathway Toward Climate-Smart Agriculture

The growing global demand for food, coupled with declining soil fertility and environmental concerns associated with conventional fertilizers, necessitates innovative approaches to sustainable crop nutrition. Nano-fertilizers (NFs) have emerged as a promising technology for enhancing nutrient-use efficiency, improving crop productivity, and reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural systems. This chapter reviews the development, classification, mechanisms, and applications of nano-fertilizers in modern agriculture. Major categories discussed include nitrogen-, phosphorus-, potassium-, magnesium-, and micronutrient-based nano-fertilizers, as well as metal oxide nanoparticles and nano-biofertilizer formulations. Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, such as high surface area, controlled nutrient release, and targeted delivery, nano-fertilizers enhance nutrient uptake, stimulate plant growth, improve photosynthetic efficiency, and increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The chapter further examines their role in promoting soil health, water-use efficiency, and climate-smart agriculture. Despite these advantages, concerns regarding nanoparticle toxicity, impacts on soil microbial communities, ecological safety, and regulatory challenges remain significant constraints to large-scale adoption. The chapter highlights recent advances in nano-fertilizer research and emphasizes the need for optimized application strategies, standardized safety assessments, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Overall, nano-fertilizers represent a transformative tool for sustainable agricultural intensification and food security, provided their agronomic benefits are balanced with environmental stewardship and long-term ecosystem health.