Nanotechnology for Soil Remediation and Nutrient Delivery: Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), including nanoparticles (NPs), have emerged as a powerful tool for plant nutrition and soil management, opening new avenues for tackling the problems associated with sustainable food production. By improving soil structure, increasing water retention, and subsequently releasing nutrients, the use of NPs in soil management has demonstrated effectiveness for improving soil health and productivity. Moreover, NPs (preparation of nanofertilizers and nanosensors), which function as effective delivery systems, have also been used to independently deliver essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The controlled and targeted release ensures minimal nutrient wastage and reduces negative environmental impacts. In addition, NPs enhance plant growth and nutrient uptake through microbial community and root interaction. They also play an important role in soil remediation by facilitating soil equilibrium restoration. However, their applications in agriculture have issues of environmental residual effects, toxicity, and long-term consequences, which require comprehensive study. This chapter explores how ENMs can enhance soil health, detoxify contaminated soil, and provide nutrients to plants, subject to further research so that NP action in soil management and plant nutrition is better understood to assist in sustainable agriculture.