Global trends in the use of Nanofertilizers: An intelligent technology for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Today's largest and oldest agricultural industry faces multiple problems. There is no doubt that the huge increase in world food production is one cause of the increased use of inorganic fertilizers which is increasing the cost involved in food production and 
agriculture. The use of low-quality and less efficient synthetic fertilizers has only resulted in significant environmental risks, such as: contamination of soils and water bodies. Compared to other farming systems, this is a hard truth for the world's cereal-based 
farming systems. Recently, healthier options have been developed through the use of nanotechnology. The advancement of nanotechnology has improved ways of large-scale production of physiologically important metal nanoparticles, which are now used to 
improve fertilizer formulations to increase nutrient uptake by plant cells and minimize nutrient loss. Nanofertilizers are more effective compared to chemical fertilizers due to their cost-effective, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and more stable nature. Nanostructured 
fertilizers can increase nutrient use efficiency through mechanisms such as targeted delivery, slow or controlled release. They could precisely release their active ingredients in response to environmental triggers and biological demands. However, the synthesis of 
nanofertilizers through chemical or physical methods is very expensive, so a new approach has been developed which is also known as green or biogenic synthesis. This method uses the secondary metabolites present in the plant extract that help reduce bulk material in the form of nanoparticles. Various nanofertilizers such as nano-urea, nano-zinc, nano potassium, nano-chitosan and nano-silica have been used to deliver the micro and macro nutrients inside the plant cell efficiently. In this way, nanofertilizers can enhance crop 
productivity by improving seed germination rate, seedling growth, photosynthetic activity, nitrogen metabolism, and carbohydrate and protein synthesis.