Green Synthesized Nanoparticles for Sustainable Agriculture

Nanotechnology is playing a crucial role in material and medical sciences and gaining ground in agriculture. Due to the increase in population and awareness about the harmful effects of chemical-based pesticides and insecticides used in agriculture, there is a dire need to evolve new strategies to increase the productivity of crops. This can be achieved by using various types of bio-nanoparticles. Bio-nanoparticles or green synthesized nanoparticles (G-NPs) are derived from plant extracts, culture or culture soup of microbe or bioactive component. The synthesis protocol to prepare these G-NPs utilizes safer solvents and biomaterials and hence this makes G-NPs a new choice to eliminate agricultural pests and insects. Furthermore, a nano-enclosed formulation shows enhanced stability, permeability, solubility, and specificity with slow-releasing properties. With such a broader coverage of these particles against several agricultural pests and insects, our chapter deals with various properties of nanoparticles and their application in improving agricultural productivity.