Application of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials in Agriculture: Benefit or Bane?

Nanotechnology has progressed significantly in the past two decades and the use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in industrial applications and commercial products has greatly increased. As a result of this widespread increase in ENM usage both industrially and domestically, concerns about their release and accumulation in the environment has also increased. Direct or indirect exposure and the subsequent accumulation of ENMs in the environment may have significant eco-toxicological effects on plants used as staple foods such as cereals. This in turn will potentially cause human and ecological health issues as a result of soil and plant contamination. A thorough assessment of the environmental risks of ENMs is, therefore, critical. To assess their environmental risks, understanding of ENMs unique properties such as specific surface area, high surface area to volume ratio, and variable surface charge under different environmental condition is necessary.