Nanofertilizers: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Grasslands

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is the most critical element limiting agricultural production at a global scale. Despite many efforts, the N use efficiency (NUE) in agriculture remains in a range of less than 50%. Reaching targeted crop yields has resulted in N overuse, which is an economic and environmental concern worldwide. The continuous exploration of innovative solutions has led to the synthesis of novel nanomaterials, resulting in a powerful tool for the development of new technological products. Nanofertilizers are one of the most promising engineered materials that are being tested, either for soil or foliar applications. Encouraging results have been obtained using nanofertilizers in different plant species, however, limited information has been reported about its use in grasslands. Commonly, N is applied to grassland soils as granular fertilizers, which may result in significant losses via surface runoff or leaching, ammonia (NH3) volatilization and N oxides (N2O, NO, NOx) emissions. Nitrogen nanofertilizers are expected to increase NUE by improving the effectiveness of N delivery to plants and reducing N losses to the environment. Information on the efficiency of the use of N nanofertilizers in grasslands species is scarce and the application strategies that can be used to avoid N losses are poorly understood. New scenarios of increasing economic and environmental constraints may represent an opportunity for N nanofertilizers application in grasslands. This article reviews its potential use as an innovative approach to improve NUE and reduce N losses to the wider environment, analyzing potential shortcomings and future considerations for animal food chains.

Insight into the Prospects for Nanotechnology in Wheat Biofortification

“…NFs are elucidated as the compositions of very small size usually equal to or less than a nanometer in size comprising of macro and microelements including N, P, K, magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, boron (B), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo) and their compounds such as cerium oxide (CeO 2 ), titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), silver (Ag), gold, zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (FeO), carbon nanotubes, aluminum oxide Al 2 O 3 etc. [ 24 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…Three different types of NFs are being successfully used for biofortification programs: (i) Nanoscale coating fertilizers where conventional fertilizers are encapsulated by nanoparticles (NPs) or intercalated in nanopores (such as zeolites and nanoclays) either to help the delivery or delay the release of a nutrient or to supplement with an additional element at a nano-level [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]; (ii) nanoscale additives fertilizers where conventional fertilizers are supplemented with NPs of a nutrient; (iii) nanoscale fertilizers or NFs are the NPs containing nutrients themselves that are directly used as fertilizer and each particle is less than 100 nm in size [ 37 ].…”

Impact of agrochemicals on the environment and human health: The concerns and remedies

“…Thus, Nano-fertilizers could be a crucial approach for the protection of the ecosystemasthey are needed in smaller quantities in comparison with traditional fertilizers (Duhan et al, 2017). Consequently,they will reduce leaching, chemical runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere (Mejias et al, 2021). Although, there are some uncertainty and limitations existregarding the applications of nano-fertilizers, although they are not costly compared to conventional chemical fertilizers their widespread applications depend on safety measures and marketing strategies (Seleiman et al, 2020).…”

Nanomaterials as Nanofertilizers and Nanopesticides: An Overview

“…[18] Mejias et al (2021) reported that Nitrogen nanofertilizers improved nitrogen efficiency in grasslands species by the increasing targeted delivery and reducing losses to the environment. [19] Improved fertilizer efficiency and targeted-oriented delivery of active ingredients to the pest are among the potential approaches that facilitate maintaining or even increasing yields with a significant reduction in application rates, and concurrently diminish hostile effects of agriculture on human health and ecosystems (Figure 1). It is demonstrated that nanoagrochemicals hold a superior place than traditional products and substantial efforts are being devoted to the deployment of nanotechnologies in the agriculture sector.…”