Modern agriculture faces significant challenges due to excessive agrochemical use, resulting in environmental degradation and reduced sustainability. Bionanomaterials have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives, among which chitosan is widely recognised for its biodegradability, biocompatibility and multifunctional properties. This review demonstrates findings from recent studies (2015–25), highlighting that conventional nutrient use efficiency remains below 50 % for macronutrients and < 5 % for micronutrients, whereas chitosan-based nanomaterials (NMs) significantly enhance nutrient delivery and utilisation. These NMs function as nanofertilisers, nanocarriers, biostimulants and nanopesticides, improving nutrient uptake, enzymatic activity, stress tolerance and overall plant growth. From a physiological perspective, they enable controlled release, targeted delivery and modulation of metabolic processes, thereby enhancing crop productivity while reducing agrochemical dependence. However, key challenges persist, including limited field-scale validation, lack of long-term environmental safety data and absence of standardised formulations. Future research should focus on large-scale validation, mechanistic insights and integration with precision agriculture. Overall, chitosan-based nanotechnology offers a promising and sustainable strategy for advancing plant physiology, though its successful field application requires further validation and standardisation.
ABSTRACT Climate change, soil degradation, resource depletion, and excessive agrochemical use necessitate sustainable agricultural innovations. Nanobiotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach to enhance crop productivity, resource-use efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Over the past 15 years, extensive research has explored nanoparticle (NP) mediated approaches for improving plant growth and resilience. This review provides a comprehensive account of emerging nano-enabled technologies, including nanoregulators, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanobiosensors (detection sensitivity nM to pM levels), and nanocarrier-assisted genome editing platforms. Beyond summarizing recent advances, the review critically examines the mechanistic basis of NP-mediated improvements in nutrient uptake (20–60%), seed germination, abiotic stress tolerance, disease management, pesticide resistance mitigation, genetic transformation, and tissue culture. The review identifies that nanoparticle efficacy is highly dose-dependent, with most laboratory studies reporting optimal plant responses at 10–50 mg L−1, highlighting the need for standardized field-scale dose optimization. The review also critically discusses nanotoxicological concerns, biosafety, regulatory frameworks, commercialization pathways highlighting the transition of nanobiotechnology from laboratory research toward practical agriculture. Model-based analysis suggests that high-efficiency nano-fertilizers (γ≈ 6) can achieve yields comparable to those obtained with 200 kg ha−1 of conventional fertilizer using only ~40 kg ha−1 of nano-fertilizer. The review further evaluates the commercialization status of nano-enabled agricultural products, highlighting the successful market deployment of formulations such as Nano Urea, Nano DAP, Nano Zinc, nanopesticides, nano seed coatings, and nanobiosensors. Finally, key scientific, regulatory, economic, and societal challenges are identified, and future priorities are proposed to facilitate the safe, scalable, and responsible deployment of nanobiotechnology for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTThe graphical abstract illustrates the diverse applications of nanobiotechnology in sustainable agriculture. It highlights the use of engineered nanoparticles and nanomaterials in precision nutrient delivery (nanofertilizers), targeted pest and disease management (nanopesticides), enhanced crop protection, stress tolerance, nanosensors for real-time monitoring of soil and plant health, and nano-enabled genetic engineering. These nanobiotechnological interventions improve nutrient use efficiency, increase crop productivity, reduce environmental pollution, and support climate-resilient, resource-efficient agricultural practices, thereby contributing to global food security and sustainable farming.Nanobiotech in Agriculture: Abiotic stress tolerance, essential nutrient uptake, disease control, genetic engineering and nanobiosensing.
Meenu Teotia, Nikhil Kumar, S. Verma· Communications in Soil Scien...· 0 citations
The increased demand for sustainable agriculture production under conditions of climatic stress and soil quality deterioration accelerates the need for innovative input technologies. Nano-bio–stimulants are substances or microorganisms that enhance plant growth through physiological modulation, manage abiotic stress and are independent of direct nutrient uptake, and have emerged as promising tools. However, their practical application is often limited by rapid degradation, inadequate delivery, and poor solubility. Nanotechnology offers a transformative solution through the development of a nanocarrier-based delivery system that enhances the bioavailability, stability, and sustained release of bioactive compounds over an extended period. Importantly, this review distinguishes nanofertilizers, which are nutrient-providing systems, from bio-stimulants, which are physiological modulators and nano-carriers (delivery vehicles), which are often treated as interchangeable in previous literature. This review focuses on the design principles, fabrication strategies, and release mechanisms of smart nanocarriers for bio-stimulant delivery, while critically discussing their interactions with the plant-soil system, environmental implications, and commercialisation challenges. Establishing a clear conceptual framework enables a more mechanistic understanding of how nano-enabled systems influence plant responses and supports the development of efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable agricultural technologies by improving resource-use efficiency, reducing agrochemical loads, and enhancing resilience.
B. Prasad, R. Dubey, Pankaj Kumar· Bioscience Nanotechnology· 0 citations
Agriculture, a cornerstone of our global food supply, is constantly evolving with new technologies that improve productivity, sustainability and environmental protection. Despite their widespread use, conventional agricultural inputs face critical challenges, including rapid degradation, poor bioavailability, non-targeted delivery and environmental contamination. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems have shown promise in increasing agricultural productivity and mitigating environmental impacts. Since the 1990s, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) composed of solid lipids, such as waxes, glycerides and fatty acids, have emerged as innovative delivery systems to deliver various active molecules. Compared with alternative delivery systems, SLNs offer several benefits, including polymer-based nanoparticles, liposomal carriers and lipid emulsions. SLNs enter plant systems through multiple pathways, including foliar penetration via cuticles and stomata and root uptake through apoplastic and symplastic transport. These versatile entry routes enhance the delivery of nutrients and agrochemicals, contributing to more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of SLN fabrication methods, including ultrasonication, high-pressure homogenization, microemulsion, solvent evaporation, solvent diffusion, solvent injection and double emulsion, alongside solid lipid-based nanoscale templates for active ingredient incorporation. It also highlights the physicochemical properties of lipids used in SLNs, evaluates the advantages and limitations of various SLN formulations and systematically explores their integration into agricultural systems. By enhancing input efficiency, reducing environmental impact and enabling targeted delivery of bioactive compounds, SLNs represent a transformative approach to sustainable agriculture. Their continued development and application hold significant promise for advancing food security and ecological resilience in future farming practices.
Inbaraj Subramani, Marimuthu Subramanian, Raja Kalimuthu et al.· Advances in Natural Sciences...· 0 citations
Plant pathogens pose persistent threats to global food production, driving the need for sustainable and effective disease management strategies. While the use of chemical pesticides is the primary control measure adopted, their environmental toxicity has raised concerns, prompting extensive research into the development of eco-friendly alternatives. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising and sustainable tool for plant protection. The biopolymer chitosan is well-known for its unique physicochemical properties including biodegradability, biocompatibility and low toxicity, making it one of the most reliable polymers for nanoformulation development. These formulations, including nanoparticles and nanocomposites, incorporate chitosan as an antimicrobial nanomaterial as well as a carrier forother biocidal nano-substances offering an efficient solution against plant diseases. Chitosan as a carrier enhances the targeted delivery of the encapsulated substances through their slow and controlled release. The nanoformulations adopt multiple modes of action to combat pathogens, which include membrane disruption, inhibition of growth and biofilm formation and induction of defence responses within the plant. This review elucidates the advantages of using chitosan for fabricating novel nanoformulations for plant protection. Their superior modes of action against fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes have also been highlighted alongside challenges such as stability and scalability, thus paving the way for their integration into sustainable pest management systems.
P. Bhavya, I. Johnson, M. Karthikeyan et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
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