Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1.3 Nanobiotechnology
The term “nanobiotechnology” was first given by Lynn W. Jelinski, a biophysi-
cist at Cornell University, USA. Nanobiotechnology is a promising area that com-
bines nanofabrication and biosystems to the benefit of both, for all applications
of genomics, including mammalian, plants and microbials (Robinson et al.
2009
).
As mentioned earlier, there are two basic fabrication approaches to create nano-
structures—top-down and bottom-up. In top-down approach, nanobiotechnology
utilizes tools and methods of nano/microfabrication to manufacture nanostructures
and nanodevices. However, the bottom-up approach exploits biological structures
and processes via a collection of molecular tool kits of atomic resolution, to create
novel functional materials, biosensors, and bioelectronics for different applications.
Nanobiotechnology helps in achieving many essential goals that are rather difficult
to achieve by other means. For instance, a DNA's ladder structure provides a natural
framework for assembling nanostructures instead of fabricating silicon scaffolding
for nanostructures as DNA's ladder provides highly specific bonding which brings
atoms together to create a nanostructure. It provides the tools and technology for
gathering information and designing novel devices to investigate questions related
to the biological importance of the genomic information and its implementation
in various fields, particularly medicine and agriculture. Applications of nanobio-
technology in agriculture are gradually moving from the theoretical possibilities
into the applicable area and play an important role in improving the existing crop
management techniques. Nanoscale devices with novel properties are capable of
responding to different conditions by themselves, and therefore taking appropriate
remedial action. These systems help in delivering chemicals in a controlled and
targeted manner through genetic improvement of plants (Kuzma et al.
2007
; Scott
et al.
2007
), delivery of genes and drug molecules to specific sites at cellular levels
(Maysinger et al.
2007
), and nano-array-based gene technologies for gene expres-
sions in plants under stress conditions. The interest is increasing with suitable tech-
niques and sensors for precision in agriculture, natural resource management, early
detection of pathogens and contaminants in food products, smart delivery systems
for agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Agrochemicals are conventionally
applied to crops by spraying and/or broadcasting. In order to avoid the problems
such as leaching of chemicals, degradation by photolysis, hydrolysis and microbial
degradation, a concentration of chemicals lower than minimum effective concentra-
tion to reach the target site of crops is required. Hence, the nanocapsulated agro-
chemicals should be designed in such a manner that they hold all essential proper-
ties such as effective concentration, time-controlled release in response to certain
stimuli, enhanced targeted activity and less ecotoxicity with safe and easy mode of
delivery, thus avoiding repeated application (Green et al.
2007
; Wang et al.
2007
;
Boehm et al.
2003
; Tsuji et al.
2001
). The best example is the reduction of phytotox-
icity of herbicides on crops by controlling the parasitic weeds with nanocapsulated
herbicides (Perez-de-Luque et al.
2009
). Proper functionalization of nanocapsules
ensures better penetration and allows slow and controlled release of active ingredi-
ents on reaching the target weed and also makes the concentrated active ingredients,
