Nanofertilizers: Revolutionizing Nutrient Delivery in Crops

Abstract

Nanofertilizers, as an efficient alternative to traditional fertilizers, have transformed the agricultural scenario by demonstrating precise, targeted, and controlled delivery of nutrients to the crops. Such efficiency has boosted sustainability through reduced nutrient losses and contamination in the environment. These attributes have arisen due to their specific features, such as enhanced nutrient absorption efficiency, due to high surface area-to-volume ratio, better reactivity with reduced leaching, and tendency to interact at cellular and molecular levels, which ultimately culminate in enhanced plant growth. Moreover, these have a minimal ecological footprint and contribute substantially to the improvement of soil fertility through their customized nutrient availability approach. Though a revolutionary step in sustainable agriculture, the application and utility of nanofertilizers still face regulatory hurdles, a lack of proper frameworks for large-scale production, and substantial knowledge, hindering their extensive usage. This chapter, which deals with nanofertilizers, their classifications, mechanism of action, applications, and limitations, is therefore an attempt to enlighten readers about the innovative and sustainable approach to utilizing nanofertilizers in agriculture for efficient farming practices that cater to growing food demands.