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Nano-fertilizers and Nano-pesticides as Promoters of Plant Growth in Agriculture

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Plant-Microbes-Engineered Nano-particles (PM-ENPs) Nexus in Agro-Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation ((ASTI))

Abstract

A significant shift towards sustainable agriculture has been observed in the past decade in order to address the nutritional security of global population along with a focus on minimizing environmental impact as much as possible. This can be achieved by using nanotechnology in agriculture field mainly in the form of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs)-based nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides. This is due to the fact that very small amount of conventional fertilizers actually reach the targeted site, which can be due to leaching of chemicals, microbial degradation, run-off, evaporation or hydrolysis. These fertilizers in excess amount severely affect the nutrient equilibrium of the soil. Unlike conventional agrochemicals, ENPs-based nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides have increased selectivity, gradual release dynamics and resistance to physiochemical degradation. This reduces the environmental accumulation and thus, ill effects on the agro-ecosystem. The use of these nano-agrochemicals also improves the crop productivity by increasing the availability of nutrients in soil and their uptake by plants. These nano-materials can reduce the occurrence of crop diseases by acting upon pathogens directly, through several mechanisms. This chapter elaborates on the role of ENPs-based nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides in the growth of plants. It also elucidates various types, mechanisms, benefits and potential applications of such novel nano-agrochemicals, which are necessary to attain more sustainable agriculture practices.

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Acknowledgements

MK would like to thank the research and development grant of University of Delhi, Delhi.

Conflict of Interest

None to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nano-Bioconjugate Chemistry Lab, Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India

    Niloy Sarkar & Mahima Kaushik

  2. Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

    Niloy Sarkar

  3. Department of Applied Science, M.S.I.T., GGSIP University, New Delhi, India

    Swati Chaudhary

Authors
  1. Niloy Sarkar
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  2. Swati Chaudhary
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  3. Mahima Kaushik
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mahima Kaushik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Studies, PGDAV College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Pardeep Singh

  2. Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Rishikesh Singh

  3. Integrative Ecology Laboratory, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Pramit Verma

  4. Natural Resource Management Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

    Rahul Bhadouria

  5. Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization (ARO), Rishon LeZion, Israel

    Ajay Kumar

  6. Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC), University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

    Mahima Kaushik

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Sarkar, N., Chaudhary, S., Kaushik, M. (2021). Nano-fertilizers and Nano-pesticides as Promoters of Plant Growth in Agriculture. In: Singh, P., Singh, R., Verma, P., Bhadouria, R., Kumar, A., Kaushik, M. (eds) Plant-Microbes-Engineered Nano-particles (PM-ENPs) Nexus in Agro-Ecosystems. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66956-0_10

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