Nanoinformatics and artificial intelligence for nano-enabled sustainable agriculture

Engineered nanomaterials (NMs) have unique physicochemical features, the potential of which is being explored in precision and sustainable agriculture, for instance, as nano-fertilizers to improve crop yield and nutritional quality. For example, more efficient fertilizer delivery mechanisms can be developed targeting specific tissues such as driving the NMs and their cargo only to the plant rhizosphere and by controlling the rate of release of the agrichemical over longer durations in a controlled manner via stimulus-responsive distribution, or improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization (nutrient-use efficiency). Similarly, agrochemicals used to protect crops against pathogens can be substituted by nano-pesticides which can target pests more effectively with fewer pesticides, minimizing widespread effects on soil health and biodiversity while also increasing soil function and nutrient cycling by boosting the soil microbiota. Plant resilience to extreme environmental conditions can be also enhanced through nano-biotechnology applications giving plants improved functionalities that will help them cope with environmental stress due to climate change. Finally, future nano-agriculture uses include the creation of smart plant sensors, in which the plant itself is tuned to monitor soil/water quality, detect biotic/abiotic stresses, and translate the plant chemical signal into a digital signal that can then be utilized to control NM delivery to the system. While the focus here is on plant systems, it is notable also that NMs are also beginning to be applied to livestock farming, including optimization of nutrient delivery, as biocidal agents, and as tools in veterinary medicine and reproduction.