This book ​presents an introduction to the concept and need of sustainable agriculture, the mechanisms of conventional and controlled release of pesticides, herbicides and plant hormones. It also contains the carriers which supply controlled release including polymers and nanoparticles. A full chapter is devoted to the theory and simulation aspects.

This book presents an introduction to the concept and need of sustainable agriculture, the mechanisms of conventional and controlled release of pesticides, herbicides and plant hormones. It also contains the carriers which supply controlled release including polymers and nanoparticles. A full chapter is devoted to the theory and simulation aspects.

Controlled Release Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture provides a comprehensive examination of precision fertilizer applications using the 4-R approach—the right amount of fertilizer at the right time to the right plant at the correct stage of plant growth. This volume consolidates detailed information on each aspect of controlled release fertilizers, including up-to-date literature citations, the current market for controlled release fertilizers and patents. Presenting the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas, this book provides in-depth insight into state-of-the-art controlled release mechanisms of fertilizers, techniques, and their use in sustainable agriculture. Conventional release mechanisms have historically meant waste of fertilizers and the adverse effects of that waste on the environment. Controlled release delivery makes significant strides in enhancing fertilizer benefit to the target plant, while protecting the surrounding environment and increasing sustainability. - Presents cutting-edge interdisciplinary insights specifically focused on the controlled release of fertilizers - Explores the benefits and challenges of 4-R fertilizer use - Includes expertise from leading researchers in the fields of agriculture, polymer science, and nanotechnology working in industry, academics, government, and private research institutions across the globe - Presents the tremendous advances in experimental and theoretical studies on sustainable agriculture and related areas

The challenges posed by climate change have had a significant impact on global food security, with crop yields negatively affected by abiotic and biotic stresses. The book Nanopriming Approach to Sustainable Agriculture offers a promising solution to this problem, providing a sustainable technology that ensures the growth and development of healthy plants in adverse conditions. By using nanoparticles to enhance seed germination and growth, nanopriming establishes pre-resistance against diseases and stresses, thereby reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers. This reduction in the use of harmful chemicals not only benefits the environment but also helps increase the income of farmers worldwide. This edited book offers a comprehensive overview of the latest research and development in nanotechnology for agriculture, covering topics such as crop production, protection, soil fertility improvement, and crop improvement. With each chapter focusing on a specific topic, the book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, and professors seeking to stay up to date with the latest advances in nanotechnology. The book is especially relevant for those interested in precision farming, and it highlights the potential of nanopriming as an effective tool for sustainable agriculture. Topics covered include seed priming with zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles, myco-synthesized nanoparticles as seed priming agents, and nanopriming for alleviating heavy metal toxicity in plants. Co-edited by leading researchers in the field, this book is designed to be a valuable asset for university courses and provides updated knowledge and applications in agriculture sciences. Overall, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the latest research in nanotechnology for agriculture and its potential to revolutionize sustainable agriculture practices worldwide.

Nanotechnology research and its application in agriculture has become a major focus in recent years. Nanoformulations offer the possibility to develop more efficient and less damaging agrochemicals in the environment. Smart delivery systems for nanosensors, molecules that can help to detect biotic or abiotic stresses before they can affect production, are being developed and applied. Nanotechnology also provides new techniques for genetic manipulation and plant breeding. The use of nanoformulations in agriculture is increasingly being used to enhance food values, reduce agricultural inputs, improve nutrient contents and create a longer shelf life for many products. Nanotechnology is also being applied to many aspects of food security, disease treatment, new tools for pathogen detection, effective delivery systems and packaging materials. All of these applications are supposed to assist in addressing the needs of a growing population, and help in mitigating the effects of climate change and other ecological disturbances. This book highlights new applications of these nanoforms in the field of agricultural science, written by an international team of experts from across this broad discipline. It is essential reading for graduate students, researchers and practitioners involved in the application of nanotechnology in agriculture.

Nanotechnology-based Sustainable Alternatives for the Management of Plant Diseases addresses the power of sustainable nanomaterials for plant and food protection. The book highlights dangers arising from bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, seeds, plants, fruits and food production and summarizes new and sustainable strategies. It places a particular focus on plant pathogen control, and in the food packaging sector in agri-food applications. The control of plant pathogens in plants and in food has been conventionally made by adding chemical preservatives and by using thermal processing, but sustainable nanotechnology can be a power tool to aid in this complex set of challenges. Advances in materials science have led to the rapid development of nanotechnology that has great potential for improving food safety as a powerful tool for the delivery and controlled release of natural antimicrobials. - Analyzes and lays out information related to sustainable strategies, taking a nano-based approach to the management of plant diseases and biotic damage on fresh food - Presents the latest discoveries and practical applications of nanotechnology based, sustainable plant protection strategies to combat dangerous microorganisms and improve the shelf-life of food - Assesses the major challenges of manufacturing nanotechnology-based pesticides on a mass scale

Smart Agrochemicals for Sustainable Agriculture proposes products that fulfill the need for chemicals that provide a sustainable delivery system for nutrients necessary to maximize the production of agricultural animals and plants while producing the smallest possible environmental footprint. This book addresses all aspects related to the production process, including chemical formulas, stability of formulations, and the application of the effect of its utilization. Over the past decade, biobased chemicals have received significant attention as candidate resource materials in fertilizers and agrochemicals production due to their renewability. Substitution of conventional raw materials with biobased requires a new approach towards the development of technology. On the other hand, the use of biobased chemicals, such as biostimulants, bioregulators and biofertilizers offers a new palette of products that are natural, thus their application does not pose an impact on the environment (residues) or cultivated plants. - Presents ideas for new products that provide appropriate nutrition while limiting environmental footprints - Includes a full range of the production process, from chemical formulas to establishing the stability of formulations, applications and effects - Offers a host of new products that are natural and whose applications do not negatively impact the environment nor cultivated plants

Taking a sustainable approach, this volume explores the various soil management techniques. It begins with an overview of the elementary concepts of soil management and then delves into new research and novel soil management tools and techniques. Topics include: • Clays as a critical component in sustainable agriculture with respect to carbon sequestration in conjunction with its interaction with soil enzymes • The potential utilization of microbes to mitigate crop stress • Resource conservation technologies and prospective carbon management strategies • The use of smart tools for monitoring soils • Effective nutrient management approaches • Nanotechnological interventions for soil management • Techniques for the remediation of soils contaminated by metals and pesticides

Nanofertilizer Delivery, Effects and Application Methods explores the science of nutrient nanoformulation, a potential tool toward sustainable and climate-sensitive crops.Wide-spread use of chemical fertilizers has been shown to causes significant damage to soil structure, mineral cycles, soil microbial flora, plants, and creating human health risk both immediately and for future generations. Through methods that include targeted distribution, and gradual or controlled release, nanostructured fertilizers can improve nutrient usage efficiency. According to recent studies, through environmental cues and biological demands, nano-fertilizers can respond to specifical challenges, and boost agricultural yield by increasing the rate of seed germination, seedling growth, photosynthetic activity, nitrogen metabolism, and carbohydrate and protein synthesis. Nanofertilizer Delivery, Effects and Application Methods discusses the potential agricultural benefits of nanofertilizers from coverage of their formulation and delivery, to application, plant uptake, translocation, and destiny, and their overall effect on plant physiology and metabolism. This book is ideal for researchers in industry and academia. - Highlights types, uses, and advantages of a wide range and variety of nanofertilizers on agri-food sectors - Looks at current practices, their challenges, and future development opportunities - Includes methods and applications for real-world insights

The performance of crops in the soil largely depends on the physico-chemical components of the soil, which regulate the availability of nutrients as well as abiotic and biotic stresses. Microbes are the integral component of any agricultural soil, playing a vital role in regulating the bioavailability of nutrients, the tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses and management of seed-borneand soil-borne plant diseases. The second volume of the book Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agricultural Productivity - Functional Applications reflects the pioneering efforts of eminent researchers to explore the functions of promising microbes as microbial inoculants, establish inoculants for field applications and promote corresponding knowledge among farming communities. In this volume, readers will find dedicated chapters on the role of microbes as biofertilizers and biopesticides in the improvement of crop plants, managing soil fertility and plant health, enhancing the efficiency of soil nutrients and establishing systemic phytopathogen resistance in plants, as well as managing various kinds of plant stress by applying microbial inoculants. The impact of microbial inoculants on the remediation of heavy metals, soil carbon sequestration, function of rhizosphere microbial communities and remediation of heavy metal contaminated agricultural soils is also covered in great detail. In this Volume, a major focus is on the approaches, strategies, advances and technologies used to develop suitable and sustainable delivery systems for microbial inoculants in field applications. Subsequent chapters investigate the role of nanomaterials in agriculture and the nanoparticle-mediated biocontrol of nematodes. An overview of the challenges facing the regulation and registration of biopesticides in India rounds out the coverage.