ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology has revolutionized agricultural practices by providing vast applications for instance, metal, and non-metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) (carbon nanotubes, TiO2, Ag, ZnO, CuO NPs, etc.), nanopesticides, and nanofertilizers for targeted release. NPs offer vast applications as they have variable shapes, sizes, are highly stable, have strong reactivity with larger surface areas for interacting with plants and microbes. NPs gain access into the soil by nanoagrochemicals, animal faeces, atmospheric deposition, plant litter, and industrial wastes. The excessive usage of NP is not considered safe for plants as well as for microbes. Distinct NPs have distinct iveramifications on the plant and microbial relations. Antimicrobial properties of NPs against the microbial populations (bacteria and fungi) have been well studied. NPs can cause cellular deformation in bacteria and alteration of hyphal structure in fungi. The effect of NPs on microbes is dose dependent. NPs, in general, show positive effects on microbes in lower concentrations; however, they inhibit microbial enzyme activity as well as microbial growth at elevated levels. Some bacteria can grow well at elevated concentrations of NPs showing their tolerance toward the toxicity of NPs. The following chapter 76focuses on how NPs influence the microbes thriving in the soil followed by their effects on their physiological traits.
