Nanobiotechnology-mediated sustainable agriculture and post-harvest management

Abstract

Humans directly depend on food and agriculture. However, an estimated one‐third of agricultural produce is wasted every year post‐harvest loss. The major reasons for post‐harvest loss include microbial contamination, moisture content, degradation, and adverse effects of the physical and chemical methods used for storage. Conventional post‐harvest methods do not adequately prevent the loss of agricultural produce therefore, new strategies are increasingly needed to address the shortcomings of traditional agricultural post‐harvest practices. In this regard, nanotechnology (the manipulation of materials at <100 nm) has emerged as a promising field to replace traditional practices. The use of engineered nanoagroparticles greatly enhances agricultural productivity and mitigates the environmental issues posed by conventional chemical fertilizers. This review aims to describe applications of nanotechnology in various fields of agriculture including seed storage, seed germination, plant growth, priming, fertigation and crop productivity. In addition, nanomaterials used as intelligent delivery systems for crop productivity, stress tolerance and plant adaptation are discussed. Moreover, nanomaterials used as sensors for precision agriculture and crop protection are described in detail. Importantly, we discuss the use of nanomaterials as fertilizers to replace chemical fertilizers in sustainable agriculture. Finally, we emphasize the use of nanomaterials for the post‐harvest management of fruits and vegetables.