It has been reported that 50–70% of chemical inputs remains unused by leaching, mineralization and bioconversion. Chemical fertilizers and pesticide residues have not only affected the human health but also destabilized the sublevels of ecosystem (i.e. soil microbial flora, parasites and marine environment) by run-off and eutrophication. So there is need to improve conventional farming practices into smart practices by the involvement of advanced technologies like nanotechnology for sustainable agriculture.

Recently, research into nanotechnology applications for use in agriculture has become

increasingly popular with a particular interest in developing novel nanoagrochemicals in the form of so-called “nanopesticides” and “nanofertilizers.” Current projects in Nanotechnology Department, focuses on applications of nanotechnology for plant protection and nutrition, in the form of nanopesticides or nanofertilizers.

Nano-fertilizers-enabled technologies:

• Nano-sized formulation of mineral micronutrients may improve solubility and dispersion of insoluble nutrients in soil, reduce soil absorption and fixation, and increase the bioavailability
• Nanostructured formulation might increase fertilizer efficiency and uptake ratio of the soil nutrients in crop production and save fertilizer resource
• Both release rate and release pattern of nutrients for water-soluble fertilizers might be precisely controlled through encapsulation in envelope forms of semipermeable membranes coated by resin-polymer, waxes, sulfur, etc.
• Nanostructured formulation can extend effective duration of nutrient supply of fertilizers into soil
• Nanostructured formulation can reduce loss rate of fertilizer nutrients into soil by leaching and/or leaking