2. Howdo we define “Nanoscience” and “
Nanotechnology ”
Nanotechnology is study
of controlling of matter
on an atomic and
molecular scale. It deals
with structures sized
between 1 to 100 nm.
The first ever concept
was presented in 1959 by
the famous professor of
physics Dr. Richard
P.Feynman
Nanotechnology is then
the design, the
manipulation, the
building, the production
and application, by
controlling the shape
and size by nanometer
scale.
The agronomic
application of
nanotechnology in
plants is called
phytonanotechnology
2
5. Applications in agriculture
Nanotechnology has the potential to
revolutionize the agriculture
phytonanotechnology with new tools for
i. The controlled release of
agrochemicals (e.g., fertilizers,
pesticides, and herbicides)
ii. Target-specific delivery of
biomolecules (e.g., nucleotides,
proteins, and activators)
iii. Delivery of vaccines into plants using
nanocapsules.
iv. The use of nanosensors for the
detection of the plant pathogens,
monitoring the soil conditions and
plant growth, etc
5
6. Controlledreleaseof agrochemicals
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has
opened up an exclusive platform to target
Nanotechnology Applications in Agriculture
Major themes such as
Diagnostic kits for early detection of pests and
diseases,
Nano-pheromones for effective pest control
Nano agri-inputs for enhanced use efficiencies,
precision water management
Stabilization of organic matter in soil
Nano food systems and
Bio safety besides establishing the policy frame work
6
7. Nanofertilizersand theirroles:
Fertilizers to accumulate in the soil or aquatic system –
Eutrophication
imbalanced fertilization,
multi-nutrient deficiencies
and decline of soil organic matter
Use of nanoscale nutrients to suppress crop disease
Micronutrients are critical in the defense against crop disease.
Mn, Cu, and Zn enhance disease resistance by activating the host
defense enzymes phenylalanine ammonia lyase and polyphenol
oxidases.
Maize treated with TiO2 nanoparticles showed significant growth
compared to its bulk treatment.
7
8. Nano-pesticide
Nano Pesticides in the initial stage of crop growth
Decrease pest population below the economic threshold
level
Effective control for a longer period
Permabality
Biodegradability
Nanopesticide delivery techniques are
nanoemulsions,
Nanoencapsulates
Nanocontainers, and nanocages
Nanoherbicide
Molecule encapsulated with nanoparticle
specific receptor in the roots of target
weeds,
inhibit glycolysis of food reserve in
the root system
8
9. Detectionofpollutants,pathogen
Nano-sensors with bioreceptor give accurate soil moisture
updates at the root zone and soil temperature .
Inhibition effects of silver nanoparticles - powdery mildews on
Cucumber and Pumpkin. (Kabir et al., 2011)
Mycogenic silver nanoparticles against Aspergillus niger inciting
collar rot disease in groundnut. (Bhaskar et al., 2014)
Bioremediation
Nanotechnology has played a significant role in microbial
remediation
nanoparticle-water slurry can be mixed in
contaminated soil
These particles will reduce the toxicity
slowly degradable or resistant pesticides
9
12. Recyclingof agricultural wastes
• Nanotechnology can be applied By using a
technique called electrospinning.
– in reduction of wastes during agriculture
– manufacturing such as cotton, beverage and rice
– milling industries.
12
14. Biofuelproduction
Beverage industries, mainly engaged in ethanol
production using maize feedstock
continuously.
enhancing the performance of enzymes
involved in conversion of cellulose to ethanol
14
Industries Rice and husk
Husk for
biofuel
Nanoscilions
useful
materials like
concrete, glass
15. Agri-foodindustry
Zinc spray of the nanoparticles was
found to be essential to
increase the vegetarian protein, fat
and fibers in the Indian diets.
The development of gold
nanoparticles
measurable change in the Surface
PlasmonResponse (SPR)
absorption peak
monitor different parameters in food
or environment such as
temperature, humidity etc.
(Ditta, 2012)
15
16. Shelf-lifeenhancement of agricultural
products:
Nano-films
adding nano-clays or silver nano-particles
acta as a antibacterial agent , nanoparticle-
based transparent sunscreens, and carbon
nanotubes for stain-resistant textiles
Improve the
tensile properties,
stiffness, dimensional
stability
and thermal resistance
17. Nanobarcode(IDtags)and otheruses
Nanobarcode technology is enhancing promising tools
for promoting bio safe global agri-food business.
Developing the auto- ID technology for tagging.
17
18. Impactsand Delimits
• Interaction of nanoparticles with the nontarget sites, which lead to
certain environmental and health issues (Claudiaetal., 2014).
• Higher production costs.
• Public is not aware of many application of nanotechnology.
• Nanotechnology is considered as one of the possible solutions to
problems in food and agriculture. Just like biotechnology, issues of
safety on health, biodiversity, and environment along with
appropriate regulation are raised on nanotechnology.
• To date, nonscientists are developing techniques for atom-by-atom
construction of objects that have potential applications not just in
agriculture but also in medicine, electronics, information technology,
and environmental monitoring and remediation, to name a few.
18
19. REFERENCES
• Claudia Parisi, Mauro Vigani and Emilio
Rodriguez-Cerezo (2014). In: Proceedings
• Ditta Allah (2012). How helpful is
nanotechnologyin agriculture? Adv. Nat. Sci.:
Nanosci.Nanotechnol. Available online
atDoi:10.1088/2043-6262/3/3/033002
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• https://www.slideshare.net/DulminieNanayak
kara/nanotechnology-usage
19