Green Synthesis of Nanofertilizers and Their Application for Crop Production

Abstract

The unique characteristics and broad range of nanotechnology’s potential uses have garnered considerable attention. Nanotechnology is a novel method for boosting agricultural output without compromising on quality while also being safe for the environment, useful to living organisms, and affordable. Eco-friendly technologies are gaining prominence as viable alternatives to conventional agricultural inputs like fertilizers and insecticides. The limitations of traditional farming methods can be addressed with the use of nanotechnology. Hence, the most recent research on using nanoparticles (NPs) in farming should be prioritized. This study offered a fresh viewpoint on the biological development of NPs, their uses in agriculture as nanofertilizers and nanopesticides, and how they can improve the performance of biofactors. We also provide recent research on the interactions of NPs with plants, the hazards and fate of nanomaterials in plants, and the role of NPs in the mitigation of stress brought on by abiotic factors and heavy metal toxicity. To reduce the environmental harm caused by conventional, inorganic fertilizers, nanofertilizer application is crucial. Because of their heightened responsiveness and capacity to pierce the epidermis, nanofertilizers can reduce nutrient surplus while increasing nutrient usage efficiency. The importance of NPs in mitigating abiotic stress and heavy metal toxicity was also established. Some research has shown that NPs can be hazardous to higher plants by depositing themselves on the cell surface or in organelles, hence generating signs of oxidative stress. It is crucial to comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of using nanofertilizers as an alternative to conventional fertilizers, as we have done in this book chapter. © 2024, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.