Abstract

Size and surface modifications of a nanoparticle (NP) make it easy to cross several physiological barriers and mix with the transport of numerous bio-actives not only to selectively interact with different molecular species but also adopt characteristic pathways depending upon their physicochemical properties. Successful realizations of these possibilities associated with the development of biomedicines have already been realized in several cases published recently. Drawing a parallel from these observations the next question is whether similar possibilities can be availed in the case of agricultural crop management, especially with an eye on improving crop health to meet the global need for food security without any adverse effect on the natural ecological balance. The interaction space of nanoparticulate species, prepared separately, is more heterogeneously complex due to additional contributions from the ecosystem.

For appreciating the numerous advantageous applications of the NPs in crop health management, first, it is necessary to know about the constituents of the soil including bio-organisms that facilitate supplying adequate micronutrients to the plants through their roots along with the coexistence of various families of fungi and pathogenic species. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to examine the interactions of numerous types of metal-NPs on the populations of fungi and bacteria at molecular levels for using the relevant interactions to improve plant health, growth, and yield with adequate protections from harmful species also present there. The experimental assays made ex-situ and in-situ in simulated models as well as actual cases of different crops are included in the descriptions to provide a more integrated understanding of the interactions involved. The contributions from very recent reviews already published are acknowledged duly for providing input for the discussions regarding the prospects.