Nanosensors in Agricultural Applications: An Overview

Abstract

The ongoing global environmental crisis has adversely affected agricultural productivity and, in the process, threatened food security. To boost agricultural production and enhance crop yield, the use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to the accumulation of toxins and heavy metals, further exacerbating the issue. Conventional methods of monitoring and quantifying the contaminants and toxins, like gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography, have proved to be effective but are at a disadvantage owing to limitations such as the need for skilled personnel, costly and sophisticated instruments, and complexity in use. With the advent of nanotechnology, a suitable alternative to these conventional methods has emerged as nanobiosensors or nanosensors, which are simple, cost-effective, and rapid in real-time analysis of soil temperature, moisture, pH, detection of contaminants, pesticides, and microorganisms in soil. Transitioning from laboratory study to commercial utility of nanosensors is tedious, but its successful application in agriculture commercially will ensure enhanced agricultural productivity while promoting sustainability.