Nanoparticle application for sustainable agriculture and post-harvest technology: Advances and future perspective

Nanoparticles (NPs) have recently emerged as a promising technology with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and post-harvest technology. The application of NPs in agriculture can lead to improved crop yields, reduced water usage and minimized pesticide use. The synthesis and characterization of NPs involve various techniques such as sol-gel, co-precipitation and micro-emulsion, among others. However, the application of NPs in agriculture is still limited due to the challenges and limitations of conventional farming practices. These include soil depletion, water scarcity and environmental pollution caused by excessive use of agrochemicals. Nevertheless, the unique properties of NPs, such as high surface area, biocompatibility and tunable surface chemistry make them attractive for agricultural applications. The potential uses of NPs in agriculture include nutrient delivery, pest control, and plant growth stimulation. Additionally, NPs can be used in food processing to improve food quality, safety and shelf life. This review discusses recent advances and future perspectives in NP applications for sustainable agriculture and post-harvest technology, focusing on the synthesis and characterization techniques of NPs, challenges and limitations of conventional farming, enhanced properties of nanomaterials for agricultural applications and the potential of nanotechnology in agriculture and food processing.