Nanotechnology In Agriculture - Applications And Benefits

What Is Nanotechnology?

Use Of Nanotechnology In Agriculture

• Nanoscale Carriers: It is possible to create nanoscale carriers that can attach plant roots to the organic materials and soil structure around them. These developments will aid in decreasing the absorption of active chemicals, hence lowering the number of inputs needed and the waste generated. Understanding the chemical and conformational interactions between the delivery nanoscale structure and the targeted structures and soil matter is necessary to achieve this.
• Microfabricated Xylem Vessels: By developing nanofabrication and characterization techniques, we can now explore the physicochemical and biological interactions between plant cell bodies and numerous disease-causing organisms or pathogens. Specific procedures have enhanced the methods for treating these disorders by assisting us in better comprehending the underlying processes.
• Nanolignocellulosic Materials: Recently, nanosized lignocellulosic materials were derived from crops and trees, opening up a new market for creative and value-added nano-sized materials and products, such as nano-sized cellulosic crystals utilized as lightweight reinforcement in the polymeric matrix. These may be used in food and another packaging, as well as construction and automobile body constructions. Michigan Biotechnology Incorporate (MBI) International has created cellulosic nano-whisker manufacturing technology from wheat straw, which is projected to produce biocomposites that might replace fiberglass and plastics in various applications, including automobile components. North Dakota State University (NDSU) is now working on a project to commercialize this technology.
• Clay Nanotubes: Clay nanotubes (Halloysite) have been created as pesticide carriers for a cheap cost, prolonged release, and more significant interaction with plants, and they will cut the number of pesticides by 70-80%, lowering pesticide costs and the effect on water streams.
• Photocatalysis: Photocatalysis, which includes the interaction of catalyst (nanoparticles) with chemical compounds under the influence of light, is a surgical procedure that uses nanoparticles. Pesticides and other resistant or slowly biodegradable substances may be remediated using nanoparticles. Additionally, since bacteria are injected with nanoparticles when they come into touch with them, they may be utilized to disinfect bacteria.
• Nanobarcode technology: We can create new auto-ID technologies for tagging goods that were previously impractical to tag with conventional barcodes, thanks to nanobarcode technology. For multiplexed analyses of gene expression and intracellular histopathology, nanobarcodes have been utilized as ID tags. They have also been used for non-biological purposes, including monitoring or verifying agricultural, horticultural, and livestock goods.
• Quantum Dots (QDs) for Staining Bacteria: Recent advances in the science of luminous nanocrystals have led to the discovery of fluorescent tagging by quantum dots (QDs) with bio-recognition molecules. QDs outperform traditional organic fluorophores (dyes) owing to their efficient luminescence, good photostability, symmetry, and tunability based on particle size and material composition. When observed under a fluorescent microscope, bio-labeled bacillus bacteria with nanoparticles of ZnS and Mn2+ capped with biocompatible 'chitosan' gave an orange glow. QDs were employed as a fluorescent marker in conjunction with immunological magnetic separation to identify E. coli O157:H7.
• Biosensors: Microorganisms create a range of volatile substances that are both beneficial and hazardous to humans; for example, yeasts are used in fermentation, and alcohol is formed as a by-product when bacteria consume sugar. A foul odor indicates food is decaying. The human nose can detect and discriminate a wide range of scents, yet it may also be inconvenient and lead to poisoning.
• Gold Nanoparticles: Commercially, gold nanoparticles are employed as quick testing arrays for pregnancy tests and biomolecule detectors. The color of these colloids is determined by particle size, shape, the refractive index of the surrounding medium, and particle separation. A minor change in these factors causes a detectable shift in the surface plasmon response (SPR) absorption peak.
• Smart Dust: To generate dispersed intelligence in vineyards and orchards, we may use smart dust technology to monitor numerous factors such as temperature, humidity, and insect and disease infestation.
• ZigBee, a Mesh Networking Standard: ZigBee is a low-cost, low-power mesh networking protocol. Smart Fields and SoilNet were created. It includes a signal conditioning block, a microprocessor/microcontroller with an external memory chip, and a radio module for wireless communication between sensor nodes and a base station. It may be used to identify and monitor pests, drought, and excessive moisture to counteract their negative impacts on crop output. Through this nanoscale-sensitive wireless sensor technology, we can regulate plant viruses and soil nutrients by changing plant surfaces with appropriate proteins. This technology is crucial for smart fields. Wireless network sensors can monitor mobile plant biotechnology conditions.

Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture

Using Nanotechnology For Animal Agriculture And Health Care

• Improving Animal Nutrition: Nanotechnology can increase nutritional profiles and efficiency. Animal diets in underdeveloped nations are often low in nutritional content. Nutrient supplementation is an effective method of increasing the efficiency of protein synthesis and micronutrient use in animals. Self-assembled and thermodynamically stable structures may be used to attain sustainability.
• Zoonotic diseases: Diseases such as bovine mastitis, TB, respiratory illness complex, Johne's disease, avian influenza, and porcine influenza cause significant losses in animal productivity. Syndromes of reproduction and respiration Animal illnesses are estimated to account for one-fifth of animal production expenditures in the industrialized world and one-third in the developing world, according to the World Health Organization. Infectious illnesses have evolved in the previous thirty years, with 75 percent of them being zoonotic. Nanotechnology has the potential to deliver these methods, as well as to allow revolutionary improvements in this sector.
• Improving Animal Reproduction: Low fertility results in higher financial input and less efficient livestock operations, making animal reproduction a significant concern for both emerging and industrialized nations. Numerous methods have been created to increase animal reproductive effectiveness, but nanotechnology-based delivery systems are among the most promising. Another technique for controlling animal hormone levels and revealing the best possible fertile window is to employ wirelessly transmitting nanotechnology-enabled implants.
• Improving Quality, Value, and Safety Of Animal Products: Modification of animal feed improves not only animal production but also product value and quality, which helps produce animal-derived foods or products that are consistent with health recommendations and consumer perceptions, for example, milk fatty acids, cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and vaccenic acid (VA). These medications assist in preventing chronic human disorders, including cancer and atherogenesis. Nanotechnology-based food delivery is helpful in effectively managing the production and concentration of CLA and VA in nursing ruminant milk fat. It also aids in investigating the biological advantages of functional meals with high CLA/VA contents and their association with human chronic illnesses by employing biomarkers and biomarker-induced release mechanisms. Furthermore, it has played a vital role in the cost-effective sequencing of the mammalian genome within 24 hours. If this technology becomes accessible within the next decade, biotechnology research and development developments will be significantly expedited.
• Animal Waste Management: Animal waste is a severe hazard in the animal production business, and reckless disposal can only be avoided via strict environmental rules. It is also responsible for generating unpleasant scents, which hurt air quality and, as a result, living conditions and the real estate value of the surrounding region. When the value is added, animal manure might be utilized to produce high-quality organic fertilizer and improve environmental quality. Its bioconversion into energy and power may provide fresh income from renewable natural gas. Nanotechnology-based catalysts will play a significant role in electricity generation and storage in efficient and cost-effective bioconversion, which will be extremely useful in developing distributed energy sources, particularly in rural regions where infrastructure is absent. Such an approach might minimize the need for a large-scale power grid infrastructure, speed rural development, and boost productivity.

Use For Improving Shelf Life Of Agricultural Products

Green Nanotechnology

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