ABSTRACT
Over the past few decades, agricultural production has mainly been relying on intense application of agrochemicals, such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. However, application of such agrochemicals is not suitable in the long term due to serious concerns pertaining to health, microbial flora and mineral nutrients of soil, as well as development of resistance in pathogens. Use of numerous biopolymers for smart delivery of bioactive ingredients has become a new trend to minimize environmental contamination caused by over-application and non-specific delivery of agrochemicals. In recent times, chitosan-based nanomaterials have sought increased attention in agriculture for smart delivery of bioactive compounds due to their biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic nature. In order to tailor specific applications, these nanomaterials hold promise of slow release of agrochemicals, targeted delivery of bioactive ingredients and efficient nutrient utilization with lesser exposure to the environment. Encapsulation of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, micronutrients and genetic material with chitosan nanomaterials can successfully be applied for sustainable agriculture. Herein, we discuss delivery systems for agriculture, encapsulation of various bioactive compounds in chitosan nanomaterials, and mechanisms of controlled and slow release.
