Nanotechnology and Microbiology for Sustainable Ag riculture

The ambition of nanomaterials in agriculture is to reduce the number of expanded chemicals, minimize nutrient losses in fertilization, and increase yield through pest and nutrient management. Nanotechnology has the potential to improve agriculture and the food industry by using new nanotubes for rapid disease control, increasing the capacity of plants to absorb nutrients among others. The significant interest in using nanotechnology in agriculture includes specific applications such as nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides to track crops and nutrient levels to increase productivity without contamination of soil, water and protection against several insect pests and microbial diseases. Nanotechnology may act as a sensor to monitor soil quality in the agricultural field and thus maintain the health of crop plants. This book presents opportunities and scientific and agricultural challenges that must be overcome to realize the benefits of nanotechnology across the farming fields; the conditions needed to increase the productivity of quality food products, and proper management of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, etc.