Food demands are influencing developments in agriculture to address food challenges such as pests, soil erosion and climatic change as the population of the world continues to increase. Nanotechnology, especially phytonanotechnology, has now been used in modern agriculture where nanoparticles (NPs) of 1-100 nm are used to manage crops. The four major types of NPs, metallic, ceramic, carbon and polymer are significant especially the metallic NPs that have antibacterial properties such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, copper and silver. Plant size, chemical composition and plant development are factors that influence the degree to which NPs are effective against pathogens. They act by interfering with cell membrane and generating reactive oxygen species. Carrying out safety research on metal nanoparticles in crops is important. Some of the agricultural applications of nanotechnology encompass nanofertilizers to deliver nutrients efficiently, nano biosensors to monitor the levels of environmental contaminants and nano pesticides as an alternative to conventional pesticides to improve soil fertility and productivity of crops and lengthening of food shelf life.
Dutta, P., Vanlaltani, L., Talukdar, M., et al., 2026. Securing Futures through Crop Protection with Nanotechnology. Biotica Research Today 8(1), 06-09. DOI: 10.54083/BRT/08.01.26/06-09.
Antibacterial, Nanobiosensors, Nanofertilizers, Phytonanotechnology
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Dutta, P., Kumari, A., Mahanta, M., Upamanya, G.K., Heisnam, P., Borua, S., Kaman, P.K., Mishra, A.K., Mallik, M., Muthukrishnan, G., Sabarinathan, K.G., Puzari, K.R., Vijayreddy, D., 2023. Nanotechnological approaches for management of soil-borne plant pathogens. Frontiers in Plant Science 14, 1136233. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1136233.
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Kumari, A., Dutta, P., Pathak, M., Thakuria, D., 2023. Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles mediated by Curcuma caesia Roxb. leaf extract and assessment of its antifungal activity against Colletotrichum capsici. Indian Phytopatholohy 54(7), 14625-14651.
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