Zinc Oxide Nanosensors in Precision Agriculture: A Green Approach to Improve Global Food Security
摘要
Use of agro-chemicals, escalating pollution, and abrupt changes in climatic conditions are major threats to agricultural system, increasing soil degradation and reducing food production. To manage these challenges sustainably, nanosensors play a supportive role. Nanosensors fabricated from different nanomaterials due to extraordinary properties and small size show excellent performance in detection of factors affecting plant cultivation at micro levels. Addressing these issues at grassroots level help to optimize the agricultural activities and boost precision agriculture. Array of materials are employed for nanosensor development, among them ZnO nanosensors have been regarded as excellent choice. ZnO nanomaterials exhibit unique features such as wide band gap and high excitation energy, along with other characteristics that offer application in electrochemical and optical sensing. Electrochemical ZnO nanosensor are commonly researched nanosensor for application in agricultural fields. These sensors aid in detection of range of contaminants as well as environmental and biological stress in real-time, facilitating effective management. Due to immense potential of ZnO nanosensor in facilitating precision agriculture, the present chapter aims to explore the potential of zinc oxide nanosensors in executing agricultural activities sustainably.