Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture
Intensive conventional agriculture and climate change have induced severe ecological damages and threatened global food security, claiming a reorientation of agricultural management and public policies towards a more sustainable development model. In this context, nanomaterials promise to support th...
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Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-08-01
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Series: | Nanomaterials |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/8/2068 |
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author | Hafeez Ur Rahim Muhammad Qaswar Misbah Uddin Cinzia Giannini Maria Lidia Herrera Giuseppina Rea |
author_facet | Hafeez Ur Rahim Muhammad Qaswar Misbah Uddin Cinzia Giannini Maria Lidia Herrera Giuseppina Rea |
author_sort | Hafeez Ur Rahim |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Intensive conventional agriculture and climate change have induced severe ecological damages and threatened global food security, claiming a reorientation of agricultural management and public policies towards a more sustainable development model. In this context, nanomaterials promise to support this transition by promoting mitigation, enhancing productivity, and reducing contamination. This review gathers recent research innovations on smart nanoformulations and delivery systems improving crop protection and plant nutrition, nanoremediation strategies for contaminated soils, nanosensors for plant health and food quality and safety monitoring, and nanomaterials as smart food-packaging. It also highlights the impact of engineered nanomaterials on soil microbial communities, and potential environmental risks, along with future research directions. Although large-scale production and in-field testing of nano-agrochemicals are still ongoing, the collected information indicates improvements in uptake, use efficiency, targeted delivery of the active ingredients, and reduction of leaching and pollution. Nanoremediation seems to have a low negative impact on microbial communities while promoting biodiversity. Nanosensors enable high-resolution crop monitoring and sustainable management of the resources, while nano-packaging confers catalytic, antimicrobial, and barrier properties, preserving food safety and preventing food waste. Though, the application of nanomaterials to the agri-food sector requires a specific risk assessment supporting proper regulations and public acceptance. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:30:57Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-2068e1577d734e48ae83c851655821f2 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2079-4991 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:30:57Z |
publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Nanomaterials |
spelling | doaj.art-2068e1577d734e48ae83c851655821f22023-11-22T09:00:01ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-08-01118206810.3390/nano11082068Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern AgricultureHafeez Ur Rahim0Muhammad Qaswar1Misbah Uddin2Cinzia Giannini3Maria Lidia Herrera4Giuseppina Rea5Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaDepartment of Environment, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumKey Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, ChinaInstitute of Crystallography, CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, ItalyInstitute of Polymer Technology and Nanotechnology, Facultad de Arquitectura, University of Buenos Aires-CONICET, Diseño y Urbanismo, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, Pabellón III, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428EGA, ArgentinaInstitute of Crystallography, CNR, Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Roma, ItalyIntensive conventional agriculture and climate change have induced severe ecological damages and threatened global food security, claiming a reorientation of agricultural management and public policies towards a more sustainable development model. In this context, nanomaterials promise to support this transition by promoting mitigation, enhancing productivity, and reducing contamination. This review gathers recent research innovations on smart nanoformulations and delivery systems improving crop protection and plant nutrition, nanoremediation strategies for contaminated soils, nanosensors for plant health and food quality and safety monitoring, and nanomaterials as smart food-packaging. It also highlights the impact of engineered nanomaterials on soil microbial communities, and potential environmental risks, along with future research directions. Although large-scale production and in-field testing of nano-agrochemicals are still ongoing, the collected information indicates improvements in uptake, use efficiency, targeted delivery of the active ingredients, and reduction of leaching and pollution. Nanoremediation seems to have a low negative impact on microbial communities while promoting biodiversity. Nanosensors enable high-resolution crop monitoring and sustainable management of the resources, while nano-packaging confers catalytic, antimicrobial, and barrier properties, preserving food safety and preventing food waste. Though, the application of nanomaterials to the agri-food sector requires a specific risk assessment supporting proper regulations and public acceptance.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/8/2068food securityfood safetynano-agrochemicalsnanosensorssmart-packagingsustainable development goals |
spellingShingle | Hafeez Ur Rahim Muhammad Qaswar Misbah Uddin Cinzia Giannini Maria Lidia Herrera Giuseppina Rea Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture Nanomaterials food security food safety nano-agrochemicals nanosensors smart-packaging sustainable development goals |
title | Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture |
title_full | Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture |
title_fullStr | Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture |
title_full_unstemmed | Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture |
title_short | Nano-Enable Materials Promoting Sustainability and Resilience in Modern Agriculture |
title_sort | nano enable materials promoting sustainability and resilience in modern agriculture |
topic | food security food safety nano-agrochemicals nanosensors smart-packaging sustainable development goals |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/8/2068 |
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