Nanofertilizers: Revolutionizing Nutrient Delivery Systems at Molecular Scale
摘要
Plants are found to inhabit the biosphere and serve the mankind in multifarious ways in the expansion of society. Farming practices have altered the status of plant cultivation within the constraints of resource-limited environments. The need for nutrients in macro- and micro- quantities was understood in early of the nineteenth century that followed application of agrochemicals from non-renewable sources of petrochemical origin. The rise in prices and limited supply of chemical fertilizers, along with leaching of soil with contamination of water bodies of surface and underground level have created alarming situations. The urge for alternate supplements in cropping systems flourished with use of microbes from the rhizosphere and phyllosphere. In addition, the limitations of materials of bulk size were replaced with nanoscale materials that introduced the nanofertilizers to improve soil nutrition and fertility. The prolonged application of conventional fertilizers served multiple demerits and affected crop yields. Therefore, nutrient balances were made appropriate with controlled release of mineral elements and supported target delivery with the help of nanofertilizers. It serves to improve the nutrient uptake efficiency (NUE) with reduced burden on soil healthSoil health. The soil structure and water holding capacity of soil are also enhanced. The integration of nanotechnology with sustainable agriculture offers a novel approach to meet the growing food demand under resource-limited conditions. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of the opportunities provided by nanofertilizers, emphasizing their role in enhancing nutrient use efficiency, improving soil health, promoting plant growth, and ultimately increasing crop yields, while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.