Application of nano formulations in agriculture

Excessive use of synthetic agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides is one of the leading causes of soil quality deterioration and environmental pollution. These fertilizers and pesticides can easily be transferred to the non-target plants and insects, hence reaching, soil and water ecosystem. Nano-formulations, including metal compound-based nanopesticides, nano-fertilizers, nano-emulsions, nano-suspensions, nanogels, size ranging from 10 to 100 nm, have been created for a variety of modes of action and diverse uses in agriculture. Nano-formulations are beneficial in agricultural due to easy and targeted application, controlled release, and need of low effective doses, thus reducing the chances of shift and drift from the application site. Due to the increasing demand for food crops, it is estimated that in coming years the market for nano-fertilizers will grow at a very high rate. Carbon based nano-composites, metal and metal oxide nanoformulations, nano-polymers based composites, silica, and clay mineral-based formulations have been developed for both pesticides and fertilizers. Use of nano-formulations can not only facilitate to improve yield and productivity by increasing nutrient and fertilizer availability, but also shall help to control soil pollution caused by synthetic agrochemicals. They can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of agrochemicals by controlled release of active ingredient and targeted application, which makes them more cost effective and sustainable in comparison to their chemical counterparts. Irrespective of the fact that nano-formulations have tremendous scope for application in agriculture, still their cautious and regulation application is imperative because of their unknown fate and long-term toxicity in the environment.