ABSTRACT
Due to the resource shortages of chemical-based fertilizers in the market and their low use efficiency, the fagricultural costs for farmers are constantly rising. Therefore, it is inevitable to explore cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and biocompatible methods of controlling the release of nutrients. Nanotechnology offers promising potential in bio-inspired fertilizer production with desired chemical composition and efficient use of essential nutrients that may minimize the environmental impact, ultimately boosting crop quality and production. The use in agriculture of various nanoparticles with control-targeted agrochemical release is more efficient than traditional fertilizers. This will not only enhance nutrient uptake but also reduce the deleterious environmental effects. Furthermore, the use of nanoparticles as nano-fertilizers has become a safer supplement to enhance crop production. In this chapter, we illustrate the potential applications of novel emerging nanoparticles, i.e., selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), iron nanoparticles (Fe2O3NPs), copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), and titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), as nano-fertilizers for sustainable agriculture production. The chapter also provides an up-to-date view of the role of nanobiotechnology in several aspects of the agriculture sector, starting from the synthesis of nanoparticles to controlled and targeted delivery, uptake, translocation, recognition, interaction with plant cells, and the toxicity of nanoparticles in plant cells.
