**2. Emergence of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs)**

The advancement has led to the synthesis of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) of various sizes and shapes [43]. This advancement in the synthesis routes offers

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**Figure 1.**

*Polymeric Nanocomposite-Based Agriculture Delivery System: Emerging Technology…*

great interest to develop unique characteristics against specific end applications like production and protection of crops [18, 44, 45]. Interestingly, these ENMs have been used in various applications such as medicine, environmental science, and sensors. Nonetheless, nanomaterial use in agriculture mainly for improvement in crop yield and crop protection is an under-explored research area. On the other hand, preliminary studies suggested that nanomaterials incorporated with polymers or polymeric composite have the potential ability to improve germination of seeds and growth of the plants, protection of crops, detection of pathogens, and detection of pesticide. The synthetic polymers also play a crucial role in agriculture because of polymeric materials that are pH-sensitive [46], temperature-sensitive [47], and climatic responsive that might be beneficial for growth of the plants such as mulches, shelters, and greenhouses (for fumigation, irrigation, and controlling water distribution) [48]. The ideal polymers for agricultural applications should have various properties such as stability, transmission, permeability, and weather ability, which is one of the important concerns nowadays [49]. In this context, functionalization of the polymers or polymeric composites has received significant consideration for the production of newer polymeric composites with improved characteristics [50]. **Figure 1** shows schematic representation of nanomaterials and

Several polymeric nanomaterials like chitosan, PVA, lipids, and PLGA are used in agriculture for augmenting the growth and protection of plants. The uptake and efficiency of the nanomaterials vary with the species, discussed later in the text. In general, reactive nanomaterials exhibit various end applications due to their active functional groups and characteristic ability of polymers. Therefore, ENMs might be successfully utilized in different end applications including agriculture.

*Schematic representation of nanomaterials and its agricultural applications. Reprint permission Prasad et al. [7], copyright © 2017 Prasad, Bhattacharyya and Nguyen creative commons attribution license (CC BY).*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89702*

their agricultural applications.

*Polymeric Nanocomposite-Based Agriculture Delivery System: Emerging Technology… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89702*

great interest to develop unique characteristics against specific end applications like production and protection of crops [18, 44, 45]. Interestingly, these ENMs have been used in various applications such as medicine, environmental science, and sensors. Nonetheless, nanomaterial use in agriculture mainly for improvement in crop yield and crop protection is an under-explored research area. On the other hand, preliminary studies suggested that nanomaterials incorporated with polymers or polymeric composite have the potential ability to improve germination of seeds and growth of the plants, protection of crops, detection of pathogens, and detection of pesticide. The synthetic polymers also play a crucial role in agriculture because of polymeric materials that are pH-sensitive [46], temperature-sensitive [47], and climatic responsive that might be beneficial for growth of the plants such as mulches, shelters, and greenhouses (for fumigation, irrigation, and controlling water distribution) [48]. The ideal polymers for agricultural applications should have various properties such as stability, transmission, permeability, and weather ability, which is one of the important concerns nowadays [49]. In this context, functionalization of the polymers or polymeric composites has received significant consideration for the production of newer polymeric composites with improved characteristics [50]. **Figure 1** shows schematic representation of nanomaterials and their agricultural applications.

Several polymeric nanomaterials like chitosan, PVA, lipids, and PLGA are used in agriculture for augmenting the growth and protection of plants. The uptake and efficiency of the nanomaterials vary with the species, discussed later in the text.

In general, reactive nanomaterials exhibit various end applications due to their active functional groups and characteristic ability of polymers. Therefore, ENMs might be successfully utilized in different end applications including agriculture.

#### **Figure 1.**

*Schematic representation of nanomaterials and its agricultural applications. Reprint permission Prasad et al. [7], copyright © 2017 Prasad, Bhattacharyya and Nguyen creative commons attribution license (CC BY).*

*Genetic Engineering - A Glimpse of Techniques and Applications*

remains a concern.

the plant system [36].

technologies such as hybrid species, synthesis chemicals, and biotechnological developments [7]. However, continuous production of agricultural crops might be one of the great challenges due to the lack of nutrients/changes in climates. To overcome such issues related with the loss of production or improvement in the yield of crops, farmers continuously used agrochemicals. Nonetheless, excessive use of these agrochemicals leads to deterioration of soil, degradation of agro-ecosystems, and environmental problems [8, 9]. In this context, NMs have a technological advancement, might be transformed and allied sectors that provides newer agricultural tools for the management of stresses (biotic and abiotic), detection of diseases, improved nutrients absorption ability, and translocation ability. On the other hand, NMs might help to understand agricultural biology as well as interaction of nanomaterials with plants, thereby enhancing the nutritional value as well as productivity of the crops. However, the exact role of NMs in agriculture still

Numerous NMs including carbon-based nanomaterials (single-walled carbon nanotubes (SW-CNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) [10, 11], carbon nanofibers (CNFs), graphene and fullerenes [12–15], metal and its oxidebased nanomaterials [16–18], magnetized iron (Fe) nanoparticles [19], aluminum oxide (Al2O3) [20], copper (Cu) [21], gold (Au) [22, 23], silver (Ag) [24, 25], silica (Si) [26], zinc (Zn) nanoparticles and zinc oxide (ZnO) [27–29], titanium dioxide (TiO2) [30], and cerium oxide (Ce2O3) [31], etc.) and bio-composite nanomaterials have been developed. These NMs are efficiently used in the field of agriculture for production and protection of crops [32–35]. However, phytotoxicity, degradation of soil, large-scale production, agglomeration, and effective delivery system still remain a concern. On the other hand, CNFs have the potential ability to deliver micronutrients in plants and the release of micronutrients (Cu/Zn nanoparticles) in a controlled manner. However, CNFs also required polymeric delivery system for real applications [34]. In this context, polymeric nanocomposite has emerged as one of the most promising tools for the delivery of micronutrients and agrochemicals in

Several polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP), starch, hyaluronic acid (HA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly-lactic acid (PLA), etc. have been used as a carrier for delivery system for various biological applications due to their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity, cost-effectiveness, and excellent film forming ability [37–39]. Various processes such as cross-linking, emulsion formation, and self-assembly have been used for the synthesis of polymeric nanocomposite that facilitate controlled release of agrochemical/micronutrients within the plants. The encapsulation of nanomaterials by using polymeric matrix also aided advantages to enhance effectiveness of the nanomaterials, decreasing cellular toxicity and environmental contaminations [40]. On the other hand, smart polymeric materials and delivery system have the potential ability to deliver the genes/biomolecules/micronutrients within the plants and also protect viruses and pathogens [41, 42]. This book chapter focuses on the various nanomaterials and polymeric composite that augment the plant growth and interaction of nanomaterials with plants, genes/biomolecules/micronutrient delivery and discuss the advancement of genetic engineering by using

The advancement has led to the synthesis of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) of various sizes and shapes [43]. This advancement in the synthesis routes offers

**2. Emergence of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs)**

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nanomaterials.
