NANOPHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZER: PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES (Book Chapter)

Abstract

The increasing global population has led to a rise in food demand, driving farmers to rely on conventional fertilizers (CFs) that often prove ineffective. However, nanomaterials have shown promise in improving agricultural productivity. Nanoscale active substances can be released and distributed in a controlled manner, offering advantages over CFs. Among the primary plant nutrients, phosphorus (P) is often scarce in farmlands. To maximize P usage efficiency and preserve agricultural productivity, nanosized phosphorous fertilizers are being developed to increase plant yield, photosynthetic rate, nutrient use efficiency, and reduce negative environmental impacts. This chapter explores the recent findings and potential applications of nanotechnology in biofortifying plant nutrition, with a focus on P fertilizers. It addresses challenges, environmental side effects, and harmful consequences that have been investigated. The synthesis and use of nanophosphorus-based fertilizers for smart, precise, and sustainable agriculture are discussed. Although nanophosphorus fertilizers have the potential to enhance plant growth and production, further research is needed before their widespread adoption in agriculture and commercial availability. Nanotechnology offers a solution to runoff and low phosphorus availability issues associated with conventional phosphate fertilizers.