Title : Biogenic nanoparticles: Future for crop production
Abstract:
Nanoparticles (<100nm) made through plants and microorganisms to reduce respective precursor salts into eco-friendly nanomaterial’s is a green alternative to chemical fertilizers for crop production and plant protection. They often produced in cellular environment with the action of enzymes and phytochemicals to control size and shape at near-room temperature with very eco-friendly and cost-effective synthesis method. They may absorb through plant leaves or roots and fabricate variety of physiological, biochemical and molecular changes to plants resulted improvement in nutrient uptake and efficiency, increases tolerance to adverse environment and protect against pest and diseases. Large number experiments are conducted under field conditions throughout India with important cereals (maize, pearl millet, rice, wheat), legumes (clusterbean, gram, moth bean, mung bean), oilseeds (castor, groundnut, linseed, mustard) and vegetable crops (cabbage, cauliflower, potato, okra) with the biogenic nanoparticles under alluvial, arid, black and laterite soils. The results after two times foliar spray with biogenic nanomaterial’s represent 13-43% increase in cereal yield, 12-38% build-up of legume yield, 19-24% rise in oilseeds yield and 32-54% gain of vegetable yields over recommended doses of fertilizer. It also helps to increase soil carbon sequestration, beneficial enzyme activities and soil health index. It may assist to overcome soil moisture stress, salinity, temperature stress and uv-radiation besides help in to prevent pathogenic, viral, insect and nematode attack. It shows no adverse effect of any plants with the recommended doses of application. The results clearly indicate biogenic nanoparticles may be the future for higher crop production under any adverse situation and help to protect soil sustainability.
