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Everything you need to know about nanotechnology in crop improvement !
Q. 1. What do you mean by nanotechnology?
Ans. The term nanotechnology was defined in 1974 by a professor from Tokyo Science University, Norio Taniguchi. By definition nanotechnology deals with units that are smaller than 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology has been defined in various ways.
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Some definitions of nanotechnology are as follows:
(i) Nanotechnology, in short called nanotech, is the branch of engineering that deals with things smaller than 100 nanometers (especially with the manipulation of individual molecules).
(ii) Nanotechnology, sometimes shortened to nanotech, refers to a field of applied science whose theme is the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures 100 nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.
(iii) It is the science and technology of creating nanoparticles and of manufacturing machines which have sizes within the range of 1 to 100 nano-metre.
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Q. 2. What are the main features of nanotechnology?
Ans. Nanotechnology deals with the creation and use of objects at the nano-scale, up to 100 nanometers in size. One nano-metre is one-millionth of a millimeter or one billionth of a metre or one thousand-millionth of a meter.
The main points related to nanotechnology are listed below:
(i) Nanotechnology creates and uses structures, devices, and systems that have novel properties.
(ii) It is the manipulation or manufacture of material at the molecular level, or one billionth of a metre.
(iii) It includes the ability to devise self-replicating machines, robots, computers that are molecular sized,
(iv) It also includes nano-delivery systems for drugs, and quantum and molecular computing.
(v) It is the science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules.
(vi) Nanotechnology involves working with particles at nanometer scale (at the atomic or molecular level).
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(vii) It makes it possible to arrange atoms and molecules in certain defined structures.
(viii) It deals with manipulating and exploiting the properties of matter at a molecular level.
(ix) It is the science of particles that are measured by a nanometer, which is one billionth of a metre.
Q. 3. Describe briefly history of nanotechnology.
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Ans. The idea of the use of nanotechnology was first given in 1959 by a well- known physicist Richard Feynman in his speech at an American Physical Society meeting at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) on December 29, 1959. His speech was completely theoretical and seemingly fantastic because at that it was not possible to manipulate single atoms or molecules as they were far too small for manipulation.
He described that the laws of physics do not limit our ability to manipulate single atoms and molecules. However, it was our lack of the appropriate methods for doing so. He correctly predicted that the time would come in which atomically precise manipulation of matter would inevitably arrive.
Q. 4. What are various applications of nanotechnology?
Ans. Nanotechnology has a number of potential applications in diversity of fields such as:
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(i) Medicine,
(ii) Filtration,
(iii) Energy,
(iv) Displays,
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(v) Consumer goods,
(vi) Agriculture, and
(vii) Crop improvement.
First applications of nanotechnology have been discussed in crop improvement and agriculture and then applications in other fields are presented in Table 48.1.
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Q. 5. What are the applications of nanotechnology in crop improvement?
Ans. Nanotechnology has practical applications in crop improvement through its use in agricultural biotechnology. A team of Iowa State University plant scientists and chemists (Brian Trewyn, Francois Torney, Kan Wang and Victor Lin) first used nanotechnology to penetrate rigid plant cell walls and deliver DNA and chemicals with precise control.
They successfully used nanotechnology to penetrate plant cell walls and deliver a gene and a chemical that triggers its expression. This application of nanotechnology to plant biology and agricultural biotechnology has resulted in a significant breakthrough in delivering specific gene into plant cells.
The main applications of nanotechnology in agricultural biotechnology include:
(i) Gene delivery,
(ii) Controlled gene delivery,
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(iii) Multiple gene delivery, and
(iv) Study of gene function.
Q. 6. How nanotechnology is useful in gene delivery?
Ans. Nanotechnology permits successful delivery of a gene into a plant cell. Till recently, we were at nature’s mercy when we delivered a gene into a cell. Lin said, “There has been no precise control as to whether the cells will actually incorporate the gene and express the consequent protein. With this technology, we may be able to control the whole sequence in the future. And once the gene is inside the plant cell wall, it opens up whole new possibilities.”
In the future, scientists could use the new technology to deliver imaging agents or chemicals inside cell walls. This would provide plant biologists with a window into intracellular events.
Q. 7. How nanotechnology is useful in controlled gene delivery?
Ans. The gene delivery is possible in a controlled manner. We can bring in a gene and induce it in a controlled manner at the same time and at the same location. That has never been done before.
Q. 8. Describe multiple gene delivery using nanotechnology.
Ans. The most tremendous advantage is that several genes can be delivered into a plant cell at the same time and released them whenever required. With the mesoporous nano-particles, it is possible to deliver two biogenic species at the same time.
Q. 9. How nanotechnology is used in the study of gene function?
Ans. The controlled release of gene in to plant cell will improve the ability to study gene function in plants. In a separate process, chemicals are used to activate the gene’s function. The process is imprecise and the chemicals could be toxic to the plant.
In plant, transformation mostly occurs with the use of a gene gun. In order to use the gene gun to introduce the nano-particles to wailed plant cells, the chemists made another useful modification on the particle surface. They synthesized even smaller gold particles to cap the nano-particles. These “golden gates” not only prevented chemical leakage, but also added weight to the nano-particles, enabling their delivery into the plant cell with the standard gene gun.
Q. 10. What are the major achievements of nanotechnology in crop in movement?
Ans. The biologists have successfully used the nanotechnology to introduce DNA and chemicals to Arabidopsis, tobacco and corn plants.
“The team also found a chemical that made the nanoparticle look yummy to the plant cells so they would swallow the particles.” The nanoparticles were swallowed by the plant protoplasts (naked cells).
Q. 11. What are applications of nanotechnology in Agriculture?
Ans. There are new challenges in agricultural sector. Such challenges include a growing demand for healthy and safe food, an increasing risk of disease, and threats to agricultural and fishery production from changing weather patterns. Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural and food industry with new tools.
Important applications of nanotechnology in the field of agriculture include:
(i) Treatment of diseases,
(ii) Detection of diseases,
(iii) Better nutrient absorption,
(iv) Better use of insecticides and herbicides, and
(v) Protection of environment.
All these have been discussed below:
(i) Treatment of Diseases:
It provides molecular treatment of diseases.
(ii) Detection of Diseases:
It helps in rapid detection of diseases. Smart sensors and smart delivery systems will help the agricultural industry combat viruses and other crop pathogens.
(iii) Better Nutrient Absorption:
It enhances the ability of plants to absorb nutrients etc.
(iv) Better Use of Insecticides and Herbicides:
In the near future nano-structured catalysts will be available which will increase the efficiency of pesticides and herbicides, allowing lower doses to be used.
(v) Protection of Environment:
Nanotechnology will also protect the environment indirectly through the use of alternative (renewable) energy supplies, and filters or catalysts to reduce pollution and clean-up existing pollutants.
Q. 12. What is Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)?
Ans. An agricultural methodology widely used in the USA, Europe and Japan, which efficiently utilises modern technology for crop management, is called Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). CEA is an advanced and intensive form of hydroponically-based agriculture. Plants are grown within a’ controlled environment so that horticultural practices can be optimized.
The computerized system monitors and regulates localized environments such as fields of crops. CEA technology, as it exists today, provides an excellent platform for the introduction of nanotechnology to agriculture. In CEA, nano-technological devices can tremendously improve the grower’s ability to determine the best time of harvest for the crop, the vitality of the crop, and food security issues, such as microbial or chemical contamination.
Q. 13. What are applications of nanotechnology in precision farming?
Ans. There are two main applications of nanotechnology in the precision farming, viz.:
(i) Reduction in the cost of production, and
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(ii) Reduction in pollution.
These are discussed below:
(i) Reduction in Cost of Production:
The major goal of precision farming is to maximize output (i.e. crop yields) and minimize input Le. fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. by monitoring environmental variables and applying targeted action. Precision farming makes use of computers, global satellite positioning systems, and remote sensing devices to measure highly localized environmental conditions.
Thus it determines whether crops are growing at maximum efficiency or precisely identifies the nature and location of problems. By using centralized data to determine soil conditions and plant development, seeding, fertilizer, chemical and water use can be fine-tuned to lower production costs and potentially increase production- all benefiting the farmer.
(ii) Reduction in Pollution:
Precision farming can also help to reduce agricultural waste and thus keep environmental pollution to a minimum. Although not fully implemented yet, tiny sensors and monitoring systems enabled by nanotechnology will have a large impact on future precision farming methodologies. One of the major roles for nanotechnology-enabled devices will be the increased use of autonomous sensors linked into a GPS system for real-time monitoring.
These nano-sensors could be distributed throughout the field where they can monitor soil conditions and crop growth. Wireless sensors are already being used in certain parts of the USA and Australia. For example, one of the Californian vineyards, Pickberry, in Sonoma Country has installed Wi-Fi systems with the help of the IT Company, Accenture.
The initial cost of setting up such a system is justified by the fact that it enables the best grapes to be grown which in turn produce finer wines, which command a premium price. The use of such wireless networks is of course not restricted to vineyards only. This technique can also be used in other crops.
Q. 14. What are applications of nanotechnology in Medicine?
Ans. Nanotechnology has two major applications in the field of medicines, viz.:
(i) Drug delivery and
(ii) Tissue engineering.
The overall drug consumption and side-effects can be lowered significantly by depositing the active agent in the morbid region only and in no higher dose than needed. This highly selective approach reduces costs and human suffering. An example can be found in dendrimers and nano-porous materials. They could hold small drug molecules and transporting them to the desired location.
Nanotechnology can help to reproduce or to repair damaged tissue. Tissue engineering might replace todays conventional treatments, e.g. transplantation of organs or artificial implants.
