Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
20 %), a great concern considering that it is a finite resource and that its runoff
exacerbates eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. The significant economic impact
of inefficient fertilization also cannot be ignored. For example, farmers worldwide
can improve their economic performance by approximately
<
4.7 billion annually by
improving their nitrogen use efficiency by 20 % (Raun and Johnson
1999
). New
approaches and technologies need to be investigated in agriculture if global food
production and demands are to be met in an environmentally and economically
sustainable manner.
Nanotechnology encompasses a range of technologies related to the manipula-
tion of matter at the length scale of 1-100 nm. Particles on the scale of less than
100 nm fall in a transitional zone between individual atoms or molecules and
corresponding bulk material, which can lead to dramatic modifications in the
physical and chemical properties of the material. Nanotechnology has already led
to many innovations in fields as varied as medicine, material science, and electron-
ics. Furthermore, nanotechnology is ubiquitous in our consumer products from
textiles, to sports equipment, to electronics. Clear prospects exist for impacting
agricultural productivity through the use of nanotechnology. Nanofertilizers are one
potential output that could be a major innovation for agriculture; the large surface
area and small size of the nanomaterials could allow for enhanced interaction and
efficient uptake of nutrients for crop fertilization (DeRosa et al.
2010
). The integration
of nanotechnology in fertilizer products may improve release profiles and increase
uptake efficiency, leading to significant economic and environmental benefits.
While nanotechnology may serve as an opportunity for the improvement of
fertilizers, they may also be a source of concern. The increased surface area in
nanomaterials can lead to increased reactivity and faster dissolution kinetics
(Chahal et al.
2012
); these factors might exacerbate inefficiency problems if
nanofertilizer formulations are more easily dissolved and leached into the environ-
ment. The use of nanomaterials in fertilizers would constitute an intentional input of
nanomaterials into the environment and could dramatically impact human and
environmental exposure. Plants, particularly farmed crops, could serve as a potential
pathway of nanoparticle bioaccumulation up the food chain. Thus, it is imperative
that the risks and benefits of nanotechnology in fertilizers be critically evaluated.
This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the state of nanotechnology in
agricultural products, specifically fertilizers and supplements. Examining patents
and publications, three themes in nanotechnology implementation for fertilizers are
explored: nanoscale fertilizer inputs, nanoscale additives, and nanoscale coatings/
host materials for fertilizers. This chapter will also explore existing commercial
products and the potential directions that nanotechnology in fertilizers and supple-
ments may take over the next 5-10 years. An important goal of this chapter is to
help bring focus to the application of nanotechnology and nanoscience in agricul-
ture, especially for improving the use efficiency of essential fertilizer nutrients by
crops and enhancing crop security for the long-term sustainability of agriculture
and the environment.
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