Engineered Nanoparticles for Increasing Micronutrient Use Efficiency

Micronutrients are an important class of trace elements required by both plants and animals. With increasing food demands and limited land available for agriculture, the existent agricultural practices would not be able to meet the demand of the future. Moreover, micronutrient-deficient food consumption has proven to cause long-term side effects in humans. To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, nanotechnology is an emerging technology with possible applications in agriculture. Nano-form micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and molybdenum are being carefully analyzed for applications in crops and plants. Nanoparticles produce better results and are required in lesser amount as compared to conventional fertilizers. This chapter focuses on the effect of engineered micronutrient nanoparticles on various plants. Many studies demonstrated the growth enhancement and better functioning of plants at an optimum concentration of nanoparticles. We have further discussed the possible uptake mechanisms of these engineered nanoparticles in plants to have an insight into the mode of action of nanoparticles after entering into plant systems. To have a better understanding, it is highly desirable that we must carefully look into the negative aspects of the same. However, very few studies have taken the plant–soil system and the soil microbiota into consideration while studying the effects of nanoparticles on plant systems. Therefore, it is important that we understand the effects of nanoparticles, both positive and negative, on the plant ecosystem as a whole.