Agricultural Nanotechnology – An Idea (or) a Reality ?
What is Agricultural Nanotechnology?
The science of nanotechnology in agriculture is a relatively new science, but it is growing fast. It involves controlling, building, and restructuring materials on an atomic and molecular scale on the order of tens to a few hundreds of nanometers (1x10-8 to 1x10-9 m). Though nanotechnology is still coming into existence in the agricultural sector, it has been used in terms of nanoclays (plate-like clay particles that strengthen or harden materials), cyclodextrans (families of compounds that make up sugar molecules bound together by a ring), and nanoemulsions (mixtures of normally immiscible liquids at a microscopic scale) in items such as stain-resistant fabrics, anti-bacterial dressings, an suntan lotions. Agricultural nanotechnology has the potential to combat typical agricultural challenges and threats with new tools for the disease detection in plants in a relatively rapid manner, for the molecular treatment of disease, and for improving upon plants' ability to absorb nutrients and treat diseases. With further development of new nanotech-based tools and equipment, the agricultural sector will greatly benefit by increasing efficiency and overcoming challenges through precision farming and smart delivery systems.
Precision Farming
Precision farming is the process of using monitoring procedures to maximize crop yields and minimize pesticide, fertilizer, and herbicide use. In other words, precision farming maximizes output while minimizing input. It is accomplished by monitoring environmental variables and by applying targeted action through the use of global satellite positioning systems and remote sensing devices that measure localized environmental conditions to determine plant growth and to identify problems. In utilizing nanotechnology, microscopic sensors and monitoring systems would largely impact precision farming methodologies through increased sensitivity and increasingly accurate reporting. For example, nanosensors could be distributed throughout fields to monitor crop growth and soil conditions. This would allow for earlier responses to environmental change, thereby allowing for enhanced productivity and overall output.
Smart Delivery Systems
Until the 21st century, pesticide use was widespread and accepted. However, many pesticides were later found to be highly toxic, affecting the health of humans, animals, and whole ecosystems. As a result, pesticide use has been largely banned. Consequently, the problem this has created in the agricultural sector is how to deal with pests while complying with government bans on the most effective pesticides, and at the same time how to maximize crop yields. Nanotechnology could be a potential solution to this problem. Nanoscale devices could make agricultural delivery systems “smart” - smart delivery systems. These microscopic devices could completely replace pesticide use and maximize output through their identification of plant health issues. They could detect plant problems at the molecular level before they become visible to the farmer. In addition, these devices could become capable of responding and reacting (through remedial action) to different alerts and situations they detect, such as environmental change. Plus, smart delivery systems could be used to deliver chemicals to plants in the same manner as nanomedicine has for drug delivery in humans - in a controlled and targeted manner. Since agricultural nanotechnology is still in its infancy, smart delivery systems are more of an idea than a reality for the time being.