CRC Press Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture

Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture presents applications of nanobiotechnology for eco-friendly agriculture practices. Implementing sustainable agriculture techniques is a crucial component in meeting projected global food demands while minimising toxic waste in the environment. Nano-technological tools – including nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanotubes and nanomolecules – offer sustainable options to modernise agriculture systems. Written by nanotechnology experts, this book outlines how nano-formulations can improve yield without reliance on chemecial pesticides and reduce nutrient losses in fertilization. It reveals how nanotools are used for rapid disease diagnostics, in treating plant diseases and enhancing the capacity for plants to absorb nutrients. Features: Combines nanotechnology and agronomy presenting applications for improving plant performance and yields. Reveals nanotechnology-based products used for the soil and plant health management which mitigate climate change. Discusses roles of microbial endophytes, heavy metal nanoparticles and environment health, nano-nutrients, phytochemicals,  green bioengineering and plant health. This book appeals to professionals working in the agriculture and food industry, as well as agricultural scientists and researchers in nanotechnology and agronomy. About the Author Prof. M. A. Mallick is a Professor of Botany and Dean, Faculty of Science at Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag. He has had a first class academic career. He was a UGC teaching fellow in the Department of Botany, University of Delhi, during 1986–1990 and was awarded a Ph.D. degree in 1991. He was a UGC visiting associate at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, for short term postdoctoral work during 1994– 1996. He has 37+ years of teaching and research experience to his credit. Dr Mallick is the man behind the establishment of the Undergraduate Biotechnology department at St. Columba’s College, Hazaribag, the backward region of erstwhile Bihar and now Jharkhand State of India in 1994–95. He was also founder, course coordinator, and presently director of the Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, VBU. He was elected as a member of the Jharkhand State Biotechnology Board during 2002– 2004 and a member of Jharkhand State Higher Education Council (RUSA) during 2015–2017. Dr Mallick is a lifetime member of several academic societies and attended several seminars and conferences in India and abroad. He has authored one international book and two laboratory manuals in biotechnology and has published several research papers, including book chapters. He has supervised ten research scholars and is currently guiding seven students to a Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology/ Botany. His current research interest lies in nanobiotechnology, and he has published papers in this field in scientific reports and nanomedicine. Manoj Kumar Solanki (Ph.D.) is currently working as a scientist in the Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environment Protection of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, under the Police National Agency for Academic exchange program. He obtained his Master’s degree in Microbiology from Barkatullah University in 2006 and a Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from Rani Durgawati University, India, in 2013. He has awarded a visiting scientist fellowship from the Guangxi Academy of Agriculture Sciences, China, in 2013–2015, and also awarded as visiting scientist from the Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Israel 2016-2020. During his Ph.D., he was awarded a Senior Research Fellowship from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), India. He also worked as a research associate in the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India, in a Department of Biotechnology funded project. He has been engaged in various research activities on plants–microbes interaction, soil microbiology, plant