**2. Nanotechnology in pesticides and fertilizers**

These days, sustainable agriculture is needed. It may be understood to present a good approach of ecosystem for long run. Practices that can cause long-term

**65**

*Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88390*

being food, animal feed and fiber needs.

wheat growth and yield.

and public health.

**2.1 Control of plant pests**

damage to *soil* include excessive *tilling* of the soil which leads to *erosion* and *irrigation* without needed drainage. This will lead to *salinization*. This is to satisfy human

*Long-term experiments* are required to show the effect of different practices on soil properties which are essential to sustainability and to provide important data on this objective. In the United States, a federal agency, the development of nano-chemicals has appeared as promising agents for the plant growth and pest control. The fertilizers are required in plants growth. Nanomaterials act as fertilizers might have the properties such as crop improvement and with less eco-toxicity. Plants can give an important way for their bioaccumulation into the food chain. The recent developments in agriculture cover the applications of NPs for more effective and safe use of chemicals for plants. The effects of different NPs on plant growth and phytotoxicity were reported by several workers including magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and plant growth [9], alumina, zinc, and zinc oxide on seed germination and root growth of five higher plant species; radish, rape, lettuce, corn, and cucumber, silver nanoparticles and seedling growth in wheat [10], sulfur nanoparticles on tomato [11], zinc oxide in mungbean, nanoparticles of AlO, CuO, FeO, MnO, NiO, and ZnO [12]. Silver nanoparticles can stimulate wheat growth and yield. Soil applied 25 ppm SNPs had highly favorable growth promoting effects on

Zinc has been considered as an essential micronutrient for metabolic activities in plants although it is required in trace amounts in plants. It was found that zinc has an important role in management of reactive oxygen species and protection of plant cells against oxidative stresses. Zinc has important functions in the synthesis of auxin or indoleacetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan as well as in biochemical reactions required for formation of chlorophyll and carbohydrates. The crop yield and quality of produce can be affected by deficiency of Zn. The development of insecticide resistance in pest insects has been an increasing problem for agriculture

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is important inorganic materials with many uses such as adsorbents, fire retardants, advanced ceramics, toxic waste remediation, and photo electronic materials. Therefore, various techniques and routes for synthesis of MgONPs have been reported [1]. MgOH was synthesized by green methods using nontoxic *neem* leaves extract [13], *Citrus limon* leaves extract, *acacia* gum [14].

Fusarium wilt is a destructive disease of tomato and lettuce in several countries due to its severe production loss, prolonged survival of fungus in soil and generation of resistant races. The disease can be reduced to some extent with the use of resistant cultivars and chemicals. However, the occurrence and development of new pathogenic races is a continuing problem, and the use of chemicals is expensive and not always effective. In recent years, the use of nanomaterials has been considered as an alternative solution to control plant pathogens. Ghidan et al. [15] has synthesized nanoparticles of magnesium oxide (MgO) and tested the effect of different concentrations on the green peach aphid (GPA) under the greenhouse conditions [16–19]. The synthesis of nanomaterials of copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium hydroxide (MgOH) and magnesium oxide (MgO) has been carried out successfully by using aqueous extracts of *Punica granatum* peels, *Olea europaea* leaves and *Chamaemelum nobile* flowers [1]. The screening of synthesized bionanoparticles revealed that these nanoparticles were effective in increasing the mortality percent of green peach aphid. After the glasshouse experiments, the metal oxide nanoparticle accumulations were analyzed in the fruits and leaves of green

#### *Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88390*

*Applications of Nanobiotechnology*

Nanotechnology in agriculture has gained good momentum in the last decade with an abundance of public funding, but the stage of development is good, even though many methods became under the umbrella of agriculture. This might be attributed to a unique nature of farm production, which functions as an open system whereby energy and matter are exchanged freely. The scale of demand of input materials is always being large in contrast with industrial nanoproducts with the absence of control over the input of the nanomaterials in contrast with industrial nanoproducts [6]. Nanotechnology provides new agrochemical agents and new delivery mechanisms to improve crop productivity, and it promises to reduce pesticide applications. Nanotechnology can increase agricultural production, and its applications include: (1) nanoformulations of agrochemicals for applying pesticides and fertilizers for crop improvement; (2) the application of nanosensors in crop protection for the identification of diseases and residues of agrochemicals; (3) nanodevices for the genetic engineering of plants; (4) plant disease diagnostics; (5) animal health, animal breeding, poultry production; and (6) postharvest management. Precision farming techniques might be used to further improve the crop yields but not damage soil and water. In addition, it can reduce nitrogen loss due to leaching and emissions, and soil microorganisms. Nanotechnology applications include nanoparticle-mediated gene or DNA transfer in plants for the development of insect-resistant varieties, food processing and storage and increased product shelf life. Nanotechnology may increase the development of biomass-to-fuel production. Experts feel that the potential benefits of nanotechnology for agriculture, food, fisheries and aquaculture need to be balanced against concerns for the soil, water and environment and the occupational health of workers [7]. Nanotechnology uses are currently being researched, tested and in some cases already applied in food technology [8]. Nanomaterials are considered with specific chemical, physical and mechanical properties. In recent years, agricultural waste products have attracted attention as source of renewable raw materials to be processed in substitution of several different applications as well as a raw material for nonmaterial production. Insecticide resistance is one of the best examples of evolution occurring on an ecological time scale. The study of insecticide resistance is needed, both because it leads to understanding mechanisms operating in real time and because of its economic importance. It has become in insects an increasing problem for agriculture and public health. Agricultural practices could include wide range of selective regimes [1]. Nanotechnology applications are being tested in food technology and agriculture. The applications of nanomaterials in agriculture aim to reduce spraying of plant protection products and to increase plant yields. Nanotechnology means like nanocapsules, and nanoparticles are examples of uses for the detection and treatment of diseases. Nanotechnology derived devices are also explored in the field of plant breeding and genetic transformation. The potential of nanotechnology in agriculture is large, but a few issues are still to be addressed as the risk assessment. In this respect, some nanoparticle attractants are derived from biopolymers such as proteins and carbohydrates with low effect on human health and the environment. Nanotechnology has many uses in all stages of production, processing, storing, packaging and transport of agricultural products. Nanotechnology will revolutionize agriculture and food industry such as in case of farming techniques, enhancing the

ability of plants to absorb nutrients, disease detection and control pests.

These days, sustainable agriculture is needed. It may be understood to present a good approach of ecosystem for long run. Practices that can cause long-term

**2. Nanotechnology in pesticides and fertilizers**

**64**

damage to *soil* include excessive *tilling* of the soil which leads to *erosion* and *irrigation* without needed drainage. This will lead to *salinization*. This is to satisfy human being food, animal feed and fiber needs.

*Long-term experiments* are required to show the effect of different practices on soil properties which are essential to sustainability and to provide important data on this objective. In the United States, a federal agency, the development of nano-chemicals has appeared as promising agents for the plant growth and pest control. The fertilizers are required in plants growth. Nanomaterials act as fertilizers might have the properties such as crop improvement and with less eco-toxicity. Plants can give an important way for their bioaccumulation into the food chain. The recent developments in agriculture cover the applications of NPs for more effective and safe use of chemicals for plants. The effects of different NPs on plant growth and phytotoxicity were reported by several workers including magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and plant growth [9], alumina, zinc, and zinc oxide on seed germination and root growth of five higher plant species; radish, rape, lettuce, corn, and cucumber, silver nanoparticles and seedling growth in wheat [10], sulfur nanoparticles on tomato [11], zinc oxide in mungbean, nanoparticles of AlO, CuO, FeO, MnO, NiO, and ZnO [12]. Silver nanoparticles can stimulate wheat growth and yield. Soil applied 25 ppm SNPs had highly favorable growth promoting effects on wheat growth and yield.

Zinc has been considered as an essential micronutrient for metabolic activities in plants although it is required in trace amounts in plants. It was found that zinc has an important role in management of reactive oxygen species and protection of plant cells against oxidative stresses. Zinc has important functions in the synthesis of auxin or indoleacetic acid (IAA) from tryptophan as well as in biochemical reactions required for formation of chlorophyll and carbohydrates. The crop yield and quality of produce can be affected by deficiency of Zn. The development of insecticide resistance in pest insects has been an increasing problem for agriculture and public health.

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is important inorganic materials with many uses such as adsorbents, fire retardants, advanced ceramics, toxic waste remediation, and photo electronic materials. Therefore, various techniques and routes for synthesis of MgONPs have been reported [1]. MgOH was synthesized by green methods using nontoxic *neem* leaves extract [13], *Citrus limon* leaves extract, *acacia* gum [14].

### **2.1 Control of plant pests**

Fusarium wilt is a destructive disease of tomato and lettuce in several countries due to its severe production loss, prolonged survival of fungus in soil and generation of resistant races. The disease can be reduced to some extent with the use of resistant cultivars and chemicals. However, the occurrence and development of new pathogenic races is a continuing problem, and the use of chemicals is expensive and not always effective. In recent years, the use of nanomaterials has been considered as an alternative solution to control plant pathogens. Ghidan et al. [15] has synthesized nanoparticles of magnesium oxide (MgO) and tested the effect of different concentrations on the green peach aphid (GPA) under the greenhouse conditions [16–19]. The synthesis of nanomaterials of copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium hydroxide (MgOH) and magnesium oxide (MgO) has been carried out successfully by using aqueous extracts of *Punica granatum* peels, *Olea europaea* leaves and *Chamaemelum nobile* flowers [1]. The screening of synthesized bionanoparticles revealed that these nanoparticles were effective in increasing the mortality percent of green peach aphid. After the glasshouse experiments, the metal oxide nanoparticle accumulations were analyzed in the fruits and leaves of green

sweet pepper. The results showed that there was no any metal accumulation in any of the plant fruits. Foliar spray by synthesized of MgOH nanoparticles for green pepper leaves revealed that the foliar spraying leaves with 100–800 ppm metal nanoparticles are very beneficial to plant growth and produced healthy plants with greener leaves and high fruit quality compared to the control. Researchers made significant efforts toward the synthesis of nanoparticles by various means, including physical, chemical and biological methods [1]. Green methods for synthesizing nanoparticles with plant extracts are advantageous as it is simple, convenient, environment friendly and require less reaction time. Nanomaterials prepared by eco-friendly and green methods may increase agriculture potential for improving the fertilization process, plant growth and pesticides. In addition, this technology minimizes the amount of harmful chemicals that pollutes the environment [4]. The green peach aphid is considered as a key pest on peach and globally important pest of a broad range of arable and horticultural crops, including Jordan. The pest is categorized as of the most important agricultural pest in the world. This devastated pest combats organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides by overproducing insecticide-degrading carboxyl esterases. Moreover, control of such a pest is becoming increasingly difficult, because the overproduction of resistance for aphid individuals when using chemical insecticides such as carbamates, organophosphates and pyrethroids [20].

Nanomaterials such as copper oxide (CuONPs), zinc oxide (ZnONPs), magnesium hydroxide (MgOHNPs) and magnesium oxide (MgONPs) were synthesized by different physical and chemical methods [21]. With the growing needs to minimize the use of environmental-risk substances, such as insecticides, the biosynthesis of nanoparticles as an emerging highlight of the intersection of nanotechnology and biotechnology has received increasing attention. The rate of reduction of metal ions using plants has been found to be much faster as compared to microorganisms and stable formation of nanoparticles has been reported.
