ABSTRACT
All over the world the agricultural system is being pressurized beyond its limits because of the continuously growing population and its increasing demand for food. In a desperate attempt to increase productivity, farmers have been using fertilizers and pesticides excessively, thereby polluting the already depleted land and water resources. As a result, the quality of food production has become a major challenge that is seriously impacting human and animal health. This necessitates the adoption of precision farming techniques which ensure sustainable agriculture as well as safety of food and environment. Biosensors have long been touted to be an integral part of this solution. Fast, sensitive, effective, and efficient detection of environmental variables affecting agriculture is desirable to enforce the judicious use of agrochemicals and check their over-application. The present chapter focuses on the current research trends in biosensing of nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, and heavy metals-the four major contaminants of soil and water.
