The possible role of nanotechnological interventions in weed management – An opinion

Nanotechnology is rapidly becoming one of the most essential tool in modern agriculture and it has the potentiality to play major role in managing weeds too in agroecosystems as the emerging weed problems can not be solved by adoption of conventional methods alone. Nanoparticles can be synthesized in many ways using top-down approach or bottom-up approach. Among these, the green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant or microorganisms is the eco-friendly and safest method of nanoparticle synthesis. Nanoparticles have wide range of applications in managing weeds and overcoming perennial weed menace through exhausting weed seed bank, breaking weed seed dormancy by degrading germination inhibitors, inhibiting viable underground plant parts by exhausting food reserves, improving foliar absorption and translocation etc. They can also be used in smart delivery mechanism of herbicides for rainfed ecosystems and as slow-release nano formulations for season long weed control. Nano formulations currently used in weed management are nano-encapsulation, nano-carrier, nano emulsion, nano-adjuvants, nano-biosensors etc. Nanotechnology reduces the application rate of herbicides per hectare and minimise environmental pollution and CO₂ emission. Nano formulations are effective against herbicide resistant weeds and enhances the rate of mitigation of herbicide residues in soils. The nanotechnology holds promise for attaining sustainable agriculture through their effective and judicious use in development and adoption of weed management technologies, particularly in under developed nations.