ABSTRACT
Agriculture utilizes about one-third of the world’s land surfaces and directly depends on the natural environment for its perseverance and sustainability. It is the largest consumer of water resources and poses a serious threat to nitrate pollution of surface water and groundwater sources. Applications of nanotechnology, as well as the introduction of nanomaterials in agriculture, will potentially lead to sustainable development. Due to the unique physiochemical properties of nanoparticles, such as catalytic reactivity, high surface area to volume ratio, size, and shape, they have been widely applicable in the field of agriculture and the biotechnology industry. Recent studies indicate the role of nanotechnology has potential impacts on agrochemicals, thereby facilitating targeted delivery of nutrients for increased productivity and better food quality. Furthermore, nanotechnology has contributed to determining solutions for various agricultural problems like improved crop varieties, inter-cropping techniques, plant protection, soil quality, and reducing waste for sustainable amplification. In this context, this chapter can be considered as an important bridge between nanotechnology and all available nanomaterial-based systems and devices that could provide benefits on the food supply chain, precisely on sustainable intensification, and management of soil and waste.
