ABSTRACT
The collision of depleting resources and a rapidly expanding world population has created a demand-supply imbalance in the agricultural sector. Developing countries, in particular, face the pressure to increase crop productivity to meet the needs of a growing population. To achieve this, innovative crop management techniques that increase production yield are essential. However, the use of chemical fertilizers presents environmental constraints that hinder sustainability in agriculture. As an alternative, agricultural nanotechnology has gained interest in the application of nanomaterials that can enhance nutrient uptake efficiency, reduce soil deterioration, and minimize adverse effects associated with overdosage. This approach has the potential to achieve sustainable agriculture and improve crop yield and safety. Nano-composites are promising as nutrient delivery systems due to their functional properties, such as high specific surface area, biocompatibility, stability, and permeability. Nanomaterials have diverse applications in plant growth and crop management, including nanofertilizers, nano-pesticides, nano-sensors, and plant genetic engineering. Furthermore, they offer a new platform to monitor crop management and modify crops at the molecular level to enhance quality production. The impacts of nanoparticles on plant growth, yield, and food quality have been examined, and this chapter highlights the potential for nanoscience and emerging nanotechnology to revolutionize crop management and improve crop production quality.
