Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
5.7
Nanotechnology in agriculture
Earlier, the application of nanotechnology in agriculture was
only theoretical, but in recent years its practical knowledge
has gained new heights and will continue to have its signifi-
cant impact on this field. Nanotechnology exploits the proper-
ties, processes and phenomena of matter at the nanometer (1 to
~100 nm) scale. To realise their practical application, nanopar-
ticles with different sizes, shapes and composition need to be
synthesised. For the synthesis of nanoparticles, researchers
routinely practice either 'top-down' or 'bottom-up' approaches
(Figure 5.2). In the top-down approach, scientists try to formu-
late nanoparticles by using larger ones to direct their assem-
bly. The bottom-up approach is a process that builds larger and
more complex systems by starting at the molecular level while
maintaining a precise control of the molecular structure.
Thus, by controlling nano-scale composition, size and shape
we can create new materials with new properties (Figure 5.3).
The development of new functional materials and smart delivery
systems for agrochemicals such as herbicides, fertilisers and pes-
ticides, smart systems integration for food processing, packaging
and so forth (Moraru et al., 2003), are some of its applications in
this area. The potential of nanotechnology is also increasing with
the identification of suitable techniques and sensors for precision
agriculture, natural resource management and early detection of
pathogens and contaminants in food products. Some of its appli-
cations have been broadly discussed in this chapter.
5.8
Applications of nanotechnology
Crop
improvement
Nanoparticles have the ability to work at the cellular level
and rearrange the atoms in the DNA of an organism for the
Bottom
up
To p
down
Bulk
Nano-
particles
Atoms
Chemical method
Physical method
e.g. reduction
e.g. laser ablation and
ball milling
FIGURe 5.2
(
See colour insert.
) Classical approaches for
nanoparticle synthesis.
