European Journal of Sustainable Agroecosystems

Background: Agricultural practices around the world are under pressure to raise crop production and at the same time minimize environmental impact of fertilizers. Conventional fertilizers are characterized by low efficiency with only 30-50 percent of nitrogen and 10-20 percent of phosphorus making it to the crop. Nanotechnology creates a possibility of rethinking the delivery of nutrients via nanoparticles (NPs) which are able to interact with plants in a new way.

Objective: The purpose of this paper rests in systematic review of literature about the nanotechnology usage in agriculture, with particular reference to nano-formulations of macro- and micronutrients and mechanisms of slow-release of nutrients into soil.

Sources of Literature: Academic papers available in peer-reviewed journals that can be found on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were checked for the period between 2015 and2015. This process helped identify around 1,640 items of literature which were further evaluated to obtain 102 studies that meet PRISMA requirements for inclusion and exclusion criteria, out of which thirty-five references qualified for inclusion in the final list.

Major Findings: Nano-formulations have been shown to enhance NUE for nitrogen and phosphorus by 20 to 50% and by up to 60% with regard to the micronutrient content of zinc and iron in crops. Chitosan-based fertilizers in form of controlled-release fertilizers and those made of hydroxyapatite nanocomposites result in nutrients being available four to five times longer than those obtained by using conventional fertilizers. Foliar application of ZnO and Fe₂O₃ NPs also boosts crop yield and quality with respect to rice, wheat, soybean, and pigeon pea crops in conditions that are normal or affected by abiotic factors.

Research Gaps: The primary gaps comprise a shortage of long-term field data on soil microbiome impacts, lack of regulatory frameworks for nano-agrochemicals, insufficient cost-benefit studies in smallholder settings, and minimal information on bioaccumulation in food chains.

Conclusion: Nanotechnology has significant potential for transforming precision crop nutrition. Nevertheless, its transition from laboratory and greenhouse to commercial field use requires thorough multi-year safety testing, well-defined regulatory options, and viable green synthesis procedures.