Nano-enabled agriculture

The successful use of nanotechnology in agriculture will only be possible with a concerted effort to overcome the challenges posed by policies and regulations that are not yet fit for purpose.

Discussions on agricultural nanotechnology are pervaded with conflicting accounts of public opinion. A pragmatist concept may help to explain why this is so difficult to identify.

Genetically modified organisms as foods are a globally contested topic. What dictates the regulatory oversight of genetically modified crops could be redefined by advances in nanotechnology and genome editing.

J. Scott Angle is the director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in the US. Anne Mullen asks him about opportunities for nanotechnology in agriculture and food security. The views expressed below do not necessarily represent the official views of NIFA or the US Department of Agriculture.

Nanotechnology offers a range of opportunities for sustainable agriculture. Successful developments will need a systems approach to designing proposed nanotechnologies.

The development of nano-enabled agriculture will require proper safety regulations. This Perspective outlines the need for a combined approach to regulate health and environmental risks under the same framework.

Nanomaterials have the potential to be very effective as fertilizers and pesticides for crops. This article reviews results so far and challenges ahead.

Nanotechnology can be used to create smart plant sensors that could eventually improve agricultural productivity.