ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology arrived in the agricultural sector some years agoto increase yields, control plant diseases or pests, and improve the quality, innocuity, and affordability of food, but without jeopardizing the harnessing of globalnatural resources. The objective of this chapter is to discuss updated evidence published by scientists worldwide,and by our research team, to balance the advantages and drawbacks regarding the use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) or nanodevices (ENDs) in the agricultural sector without jeopardizing the soil quality, and human or environmental health. Herein a broad discussion is presented about the huge technological challenge regarding the use, quantification, and identification of engineering nanoparticles in natural environments, cells or tissues from plants, microorganisms, or animals. Currently, there is a growing concern about the presence of ENMs in the soil, as theeffects on the soil are not yet well described. However, several studies have stated that ENMs or ENDs have an impact on the physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological soil properties. Fortunately, scientists and technologists from several cutting-edge knowledge areas are working together to increase the yield of crops and improve the quality, affordability, and innocuity of food to underpin the sustainability of agroecosystems worldwide. Taking into account the above, the quality of the soil, the necessity of food, and the urgent duty of increasing human wellbeing, the challenge is to shape sustainable development without hampering the pursuit of sustainable development goals through the use of the safest and best available technologies.
