Current advances in nanotechnology applications for sustainable agriculture: Enhancing crop protection, productivity, and environmental safety

Nanotechnology has evolved into a transformative tool to promote the sustainability of agricultural practices, yet its application is still limited by unresolved issues and gaps in field-level validation. This review emphasizes the application of nanotechnology in agricultural practices and illustrates its potential to enhance efficiency, environmental sustainability, and productivity. Precision agriculture techniques that minimize the overuse of agrochemicals, minimize environmental contamination, and maximize crop health are made possible through the integration of nanomaterials such as metal oxides, quantum dots, and lipid-based nanoparticles. The controlled-release mechanisms enabled by the innovative properties of nanopesticides and nanofertilizers not only boost crop yields but also lessen the adverse effects that traditional agricultural methods have on ecosystems. Instead of just summarizing applications, we point out differences in reported results (e.g., enhanced nutrient-use efficiency versus nanoparticle-induced phytotoxicity) and explain how such variations hinder large-scale implementation. This review also addresses strategies for implementing nanotechnology in agricultural systems, with an emphasis on precision agriculture and its importance in enabling more precise input delivery, enhancing crop health monitoring, and improving the management of agricultural ecosystems. The advancement and implementation of nanotechnology in agriculture hold considerable promise for enhancing global food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and preserving the environment. Ultimately, the use of nanotechnology in agriculture can increase crop yields, conserve water, and improve soil health, thereby benefiting the environment.