MEKELLE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE OF DRYLAND AGRICULTURE AND

NATURAL RESOURCESDCHS

The Roles of Nanotechnology in Agriculture: A Review.

By: Etany SolomonCoordinator: Kiros Meles (PhD)

Senior Seminar Two

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Agriculture is the backbone many developing economies

providing both food and GDP. However, there are emerging challenges resulting from overly

increasing population. Nutrient deficiencies Depletion of water source Pests and diseases Soil erosion Projections suggest that food production need to increase 70–100

% by 2050 to meet the demands Which calls for new technologies if production is to be increased

1.2 Background… For example, 35-40% of the crop productivity depends upon fertilizer use.

Pest control has also become a necessity…

However, excessive and inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides; increased nutrients and toxins in ground and surface waters incurring health and water purification costs decreasing fishery and recreational opportunities led to degraded soil quality eutrophication of aquatic habitats Costs of irrigation, and energy costs to maintain productivity on degraded soils killing beneficial organisms

Groundwater levels have also gone down due to constant irrigation.

1.2 Background…

• To remediate this, there is need to adopt more

"smart" ways of improving soils and pest control.

• To ensure use of small dozes of chemicals to

give a big impact.

• This could be achieved through Nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology hold a potential for creating

new and effective materials with enhanced

properties.

1.3 Objectives

• To review different research findings on the

role of Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Focus on crop production

1.4 Methodology This review was done by ;reviewing several published articles, Grey source,reports, conference proceedings, abstracts.

2.0 Nanotechnology

What is it?• The term 'Nanotechnology' was first defined by Taniguchi of the

Tokyo Science University in 1974.

• Nanotechnology is a term originating from the prefix 'nano', a greek

word that means 'dwarf‘

• Nanotechnology therefore refers to the creation and utilization of

materials, devices and systems through the control of their

properties and structure at a nanomatric scale (Raliya et al., 2013).

2.1 Nanoscale

• 'Nano', a Greek word that means 'dwarf‘

• The word 'nano' is used to refer to 10-9 or a billionth part of one

meter.

• It is generally used for materials of size between 1 and 100 nm

• They are also referred to as Nanoparticles

• In Nanotechnology, a particle is a small object that behaves as a

unit with respect to its transport and properties (Bhattacharyya et

al., 2010)

2.1 Nanoscale…

Source: Kumari (n.d)

2.3 Methods of Nanoparticle production

Source: Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering (2004)

2.3 Methods…Top-down method Bottom-up method

Source: Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering (2004)

2.4 Applications of NanotechnologyMedicine Cancer treatment Bone treatment Drug delivery Appetite control Diagnostic tests Drug development, e.t.c…

Energy More efficient tech. for energy pdn.

Solar cells Fuel cells Batteries, etc…

Information technology Faster and more efficient computer

based systems

Foods and beverages Advanced packaging materials Sensors Lab-on-chips for food quality testing

Textiles Stain proof Water proof Wrinkle free textiles

Household and cosmetics Scratch free products Paints Cosmetics, e.g. whitening and

bleaching products

3.0 Nanotechnology in Agriculture • Due to the new challenges in agriculture, there has been a growing interest

in using nanotechnology.

Goals of applying nanotechnology in Agriculture• Increase crop production and yield• Increase resource use efficiency

Specific applications include; Nanogenetic manipulation of crops

Agricultural Diagnostics, Drug Delivery and Nanotechnology

Controlled release of nano-fertilizers and nano-complexes

Nano-Biosensors

Nano pesticides and Nanoherbicides

Nano-Bio farming

3.0 Application…3.1 Nanogenetic manipulation of agricultural crops

• Manipulation genes of crops by use of nanoparticles, nanofibers and

nanocapsules.

• Nanoparticles could carry a number of genes and substances that triggers gene

expression in plants.

• DNA of seeds could be arranged to obtain plant x-tics like color, growth and

yield by use of automatic engineering.

• nanofiber arrays with the potential of drug delivery can be used for quick and

efficient delivery of genetic materials to plant cells.

• Today, DNA is being delivered into intact plant cells by use of gene guns or

particle bombardment.

Application…3.2 Agricultural Diagnostics and Drug Delivery

• Carriers that provide for chemical detection and decision taking ability for self-

regulation.

• Accurate delivery of drugs, nutrients or other agrochemicals required for the

plants.

• Control of plant diseases, e.g. carbon, silver, silica and aluminoussilicate

nanomaterials.

• Carbon nano-fibers can be used to strengthen natural fibers, e.g. in coconuts

and sisal.

• Silver NPs extend the pot-life of cut gerbera flowers.

Application…3.3 Controlled release of nano-fertilizers and nano complexes

• Nanomaterials control the slow and effective release of the right doses of

plant nutrients.

• This makes the fertilizer nutrients more available to the nanoscale plant

pores.

• The application of TiO2 was reported to increase yields by up to 30% by

promoting growth, photosynthetic rate, and reduced disease severity.

• Appn. of TiO2 with aluminium and silica, showed effectiveness in

controlling downy and powdery mildew of grapes (Bowen et al., 1992),

Application…3.4 Nano-Biosensors

• These are nano sensors with bio receptor probes, which are selective for target

analyte molecules.

• Its application includes the detection of analytes such as urea, glucose and

pesticides.

• It also include the monitoring of metabolites and various pathogen detection.

• It also detects crop harvesting time, crop health and microbial or chemical

contamination.

• Nano-sensors also give accurate soil moisture updates at the root zone and

soil temperature (Shweta and Pragya, 2014).

• It detects soil diseases caused by soil microbes (such as bacteria, fungi and

viruses).

4.0 Nano-fertilizers

• A “smart” way to release plant nutrients gradually and in a

controlled manner.

• Reduces the quantity of fertilizer use, controlling

eutrophication and pollution of water resources.

• Unique features of nano-fertilizers include ultrahigh

absorption rate, increased production, photosynthesis and

significant leaf SA expansion.

• Maize treated with TiO2 nanoparticles showed significant

growth compared to its bulk treatment.

Nano-fertilizers…

Effects on crop production

• Nano-urea increased grain yield by 10.2 % and agronomic efficiency of

nitrogen fertilizer 44.5 % than normal urea (Huang et al., 2015).

• Conventional urea are only 58.3-87.6 % of those of the nanometer urea.

• The application of nano-urea can save up to 12.4-41.7 % of nitrogen

application to the soil (Huang et al., 2015).

• 70 % nitrogen nano fertilization treatment yielded 11.6 % higher than that of

the conventional fertilization (Zhang et al. 2010).

• Nano-synergistic fertilizer also increased the rice yield by 10.3 %, spring

maize by 10.9–16.7 %, soybean by 28.8 %, and also increased the soybean oil

content of 13.2 % (Liu et al. 2009).

Nano-fertilizers…

Contents Pure water

(control)

Nano-863 Nanoceramic Nanonet Nanopiece

Tillers

(no./hill)

10.31 10.88 11.75 11.38 10.81

Tiller

increment %

- 5.5 14.0 10.4 4.9

Table 1: Number of rice tiller after treated with different nano biological assistant growth apparatus

Source: Huang et al., 2015

Nano-fertilizers…

Fertilization Rate Yield increase

60% 4.4-10%

70% 9.5-21.1%

100% 4.7-15.8%

Table 2: The effect of nano-synergistic fertilizer on yield increase in Rice.

Source: Zhang et al. (2012)

5.0 Nanopesticides • Pests the most important limiting factors to crop yields and need to be effectively

controlled below the threshold level.

• Traditional pest control involves the use large quantities of pesticides, resulting in

environmental pollution and additional cost of production (Sharon et al., 2010).

• Dilution of the pesticides with the nano-treated water could greatly improve their

efficiency.

• This could also reduce the quantity of chemicals used.

• According to Gao (Huang et al., 2015), nano-pesticides are three fold more

efficient than the conventional pesticides in controlling pests .

• It also reduces the cost by half of the conventional pesticides

Nanopesticides…

Contents Conventional

biopesticide

Nano-biopesticide

Active ingredients content 40% 18%

Dilution ratio of pesticide 800 1500

Control efficiency

(average)

56% 98%

Table 3: Effects of nano-biopesticide in controlling pests

Source: Huang et al. (2015).

Nanopesticides…

Treatments Concentration (mg/kg)

Efficiency of control (%)

Alternaria solani

Fusarium oxysporum

Botrytis cinerea

50 % carbendazim

1250 36.67E 50.00D 92.50A

75 % chlorothalonil

1250 53.33C 62.00B 92.50A

Nano-CuO 750 80.00A 84.00A 5.00B

500 71.67B 56.00C 5.00B

250 46.67D 12.00E 0.00C

Sterile water (control)

None 0.00 F 0.00 F 0.00C

Table 4: Antibacterial effect of nano CuO and other fungicides on different vegetable pathogens (Huang et al., 2015).

Nanopesticides… Table 2: Antifungal activity of Nano CU2O on Phypthpthora infestans of tomato (Servin et al., 2015).

Nanoherbicides• Weed infestation of field crops can also lead to a tremendous yield

reduction if not eliminated.

• Nanoherbicides eradicates weeds in an eco-friendly way, without any toxic

residues in soil and environment (Pérez‐de‐Luque and Rubiales, 2009).

• Nanoherbicides blend with soil particles and prevent the growth of

resistant weed species.

• Nanoherbicides kill viable underground ground plant parts like rhizomes

or tubers, which act as a source for new weeds.

• They target specific receptor in the roots of target weeds, and inhibit

glycolysis of food reserves in the root system.

6.0 POTENTIAL RISKS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanoparticles may enter the human body in four major avenues; – through inhalation, – swallowing, – absorption from skin, – and deliberate injection during medical processes

•Once they have entered the human body, they have a high degree of mobility,

being small.

•In some cases, they can even cross the blood-brain barrier.

•Therefore the potential danger to human and animals of nanoparticles should

not be neglected.

•Nanoparticle residue is very difficult to be cleared away by common methods

of rinsing.

Potential Risks… It can get in to the spleen, brain, liver, heart,

etc.

Nanoparticles may gain direct access to

DNA, from the nucleus.

interaction of nanoparticle with the DNA and

DNA-related protein damage the genetic

material.

Ag, ZnO, and TiO2 could all cause oxidative

damage in rat spleen and thymus.

injection of 200 mg/kg nano ZnO showed

mild effects on male mouse liver, kidney, and

heart function,

the nano ZnO also affected the live sperm

rate and led to sperm deformity.

Nanoparticles tend to be toxic to the

env’t given their size, shape, definite

surface area, and surface modification.

The aqueous suspensions of nZnO, C60,

nTiO2, single-walled carbon nanotubes,

multiwalled carbon nanotubes and

nAl2O3 nanoparticles can inhibit the

growth of algae (Scenedsmus obliquus),

as well as prevent D. magna

movements, and can lead to death.

They can also produce some toxic side

effects on beneficial microorganisms.

7.0 CONCLUSION• Conventional farming practices are becoming increasingly inadequate, coupled with increasing demands of

the terrestrial ecosystem.

• Adoption of new technologies is crucial if production is to be increased to match the demands for food,

fodder and fiber.

• Nanotechnology guarantees a breakthrough in;

– improving the nutrient use efficiency through nanoformulation of fertilizers,

– breaking yield and nutritional quality barriers through bionanotechnol ogy,

– surveillance and control of pests and diseases,

– understanding the mechanism of host-parasite interactions at the molecular scale, e.t.c…

• However, requires a detailed understanding of science, as well as fabrication and material technology, in

combination with knowledge of the agricultural production system.

• For it to flourish, continuous funding and understanding on the part of policy makers and science

administrators, along with reasonable expectations, would be crucial for this promising field.

8.0 RECOMENDATIONS• There is an urgent human resources training need on

nanotechnology, especially at the graduate level.

• Need for funding to support the development of nanotechnology,

and research support.

• An understanding of the technology on the part of policy makers

and science administrators.

• More research should be done on the potential adverse effects of

nanomaterials on human health, crops, and the environmental

safety.

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