Nanotechnology, a promising field of research opens up in the present decade a wide array of opportunities in the present decade and is expected to give major impulses to technical innovations in a variety of industrial sectors in the future.

1. 1

2. Application
of nanotechnology in
agriculture with special reference
to pest management
Ramesh A. K.
PG13AGR5015
Seminar I
on

3. Seminar Outline
• Introduction
• Background of Nanotechnology
• Nanoparticles
• Applications of nanotechnology
• Nanotechnology in Agriculture and allied sciences
• Nanotechnology in pest management
• Nanopesticides
• Conclusion 3

4. Nanotechnology ?...
“Nanotechnology is the art and science of
manipulating matter at nanoscale”
The design, characterization, production and
application of structure, device and system by
controlling shape and size at nanoscale
British standard institution, 2005
4

5.  ‘Nano’- Greek word means ‘Dwarf’
 1 nm = one billionth (10ˉ⁹) of metre
 Size range between 0.1 and 100 nm
5

6. 6

7. “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”
- at American Physical Society meeting at the California
Institute of Technology on Dec-29, 1959.
“Adaptability to manipulate, control, assemble, produce
and manufacture things at atomic precision”
7
Father of nano technology
Nobel Laureate-1965
Richard Feynman, Physicist

8. Norio Taniguchi, Professor -
coined the term “Nanotechnology” (1974)
“Nano-technology’’ - Processing, separation, consolidation and
deformation of materials by one atom or by one molecule.
8

9. Time Line of Nanotechnology
~ 2000 Years
Ago
Sulfide nanocrystals used by Greeks and Romans to dye hairs
~ 1000 Years
Ago
Gold nanoparticles of different sizes used to produce different colors in
stained glass windows
1959 “There is plenty of room at the bottom” by R. Feynman
1974 Taniguchi uses the term nanotechnology for the first time
1981 IBM develops Scanning Tunneling Microscope
1985 “Buckyball” - Scientists at Rice University and University of Sussex discover
C60
1986 • “Engines of Creation” - First book on nanotechnology by K. Eric Drexler.
• Atomic Force Microscope invented by Binnig, Quate and Gerbe
1989 IBM logo made with individual atoms
1991 Carbon nanotube discovered by S. Iijima
1999 “Nanomedicine” – 1st nanomedicine book by R. Freitas
2000 “National Nanotechnology Initiative” launched
(British Standards Institution, 2005)
9

10. 10

11. Nanoparticles
Arranged or assembled into ordered layers, or mine layers
Revolutionize agriculture including pest management in the near
future
Possess distinct physical, biological and chemical properties
associated with their atomic strength
Bhattacharyya et al., 2010
11

12. Properties of nano particles
10nm 50nm
Property
Below about 100 nm the rules
that govern the behaviour of the
elements of our known world
start to give way to the rules of
quantum mechanics, and
everything changes
Quantum effects
12

13. Things behave differently in nano-world
 Carbon in the form of graphite (i.e. pencil lead)
is soft, at the nano-scale, can be stronger than
steel and is six times lighter
 Nano-scale copper is a highly elastic
metal at room temperature, stretching
to 50 times its original length without breaking
 Shiny orange yellow Gold changes its colour to
brownish black on reducing the size
13

14. METHODS OF NANOPARTICLE PRODUCTION
14
(Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, 2004)

15. TOP DOWN APPROACH
(Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, 15
2004)

16. 16
BOTTOM UP APPORAOCH
(Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, 2004)

17. Tools of Nanotechnology
Carbon Nanotubes Fullerenes
Dendrimers
Quantumdots
Nanosensors
Nano Chips
C60 Cadmium selinade
17

18. 18
Nanotechnology

19. 19

20.  Medicine
 Cancer treatment
 Bone treatment
 Drug delivery
 Appetite control
 Drug development
 Medical tools
 Diagnostic tests
 Imaging
 Information Technology
 Smaller, faster, more
energy efficient and
powerful computing
and other IT-based
systems
 Energy
 More efficient and cost
effective technologies for
enenergy production
 Solar cells
 Fuel cells
 Batteries
Consumer Goods
Foods and beverages
 Advanced packaging
materials, sensors,
and lab-on-chips for
food quality testing
Appliances and textiles
 Stain proof, water
proof and wrinkle free
textiles
Household and cosmetics
 scratch free products,
paints, and better
cosmetics
20

21. Nanomaterials and Agriculture
• There has been significant interest in using nanotechnology in
agriculture
The goals fall into several categories
 Increase production rates and yield
 Increase efficiency of resource utilization
 Minimize waste production
 Nano-based treatment of agricultural waste
 Nanosensors
 Specific applications include:
Nano-fertilizers, Nano-pesticides
21

22. Application of nanotechnology in
agriculture and allied sciences
• Food technology
• Crop improvement
• Seed technology
• Precision farming
• Nano-fertilizer for
balance crop nutrition
• Plant disease diaganose
• Weed management
• Water management
• Biosensors (Electronic
nose)
• Agricultural engineering
issue
• Animal science
• Fishery and aquaculture
• Pest management
22

23. Food science and technology
• Nanotechnology for enhancing food security in India
Sastry et al., 2011
• Hybrid polymer : Smart packaging with Nano silicon
embedded durethan polymer to enhance the shelf life of the
food materials
Bayer polymers
23

24. Crop improvement
• Gene therapy for plants : use of 3-nm mesoporous silica
nanoparticle (MSN) for smuggling foreign DNA into cells.
Peterson et al.,2014
• Shown the feasibility of DNA sequencing using a fluidic
nanochannel functionalized with a graphene nanoribbon
kyu min et al., 2013
Seed technology
• Use of carbon Nanotubes increases the germination
through better penetration of the moisture
Khodokovskaya et al.,2010
24

25. Precision farming
Smart Field System
• Bio-Nanotechnology has designed sensors which give
increased sensitivity and earlier response to environmental
changes and linked into GPS
• These monitor soil conditions and crop growth over vast
areas
• Such sensors have already been employed in US and Australia
UASD
25

26. Plant pathology
• 100% growth inhibition was seen in the Pythium ultimum,
Magnaporthe grisea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Botrytis
cinere and, Rhyzoctonia solani, showed at 10 ppm of the
nanosized silica-silver
Park et al., 2006
• QDs have emerged as pivotal tool for detection of a particular
biological marker with extreme accuracy
Madhuri et al., 2010
26

27. Soil remediation
• Nanotech-based soil binder called SoilSet employed to avoid
soil erosion
Sequoia Pacific Research of Utah (USA)
Removal of heavy metals
• Ligand based nanocoating can be utilized for effective removal
of heavy metals as these have high absorption tendency
Water treatments
• magnetite (iron oxide) nanocrystals to capture and remove
arsenic from contaminated water.
Researchers at Rice University
27

28. Animal science
• Nano micelles, liposomes, nano-emulsions complexes
improves the utilization efficiency of nutrients in the fodder
Fishery and aquaculture
• NanoCheck- 40 nm lanthanum-based compound absorbs
phosphates from the water and prevents algae Growth.
• Fast growing fish: Younger carp exhibited 30% faster growth
rate when fed with iron nanoparticles
Russian Academy of Sciences
Agricultural Engineering Issues
• Nano coating of agricultural tools to increase their resistance
against wear and corrosion
28

29. Nano-fertilizer technology
• Foliar application of nano Phosphorous as fertilizer (640 mg
ha-1) and soil application of phosphorous fertilizer (80 kg ha-1
) yielded equally in clusterbean and pearl millet under arid
environment.
Tarafdar et al., 2012
Weed management
• Soybean based nano surfactant reported to make glyphosate
resistant crops susceptible to glyphosate
Kokiladevi et al., 2007
29

30. 30
Nanotechnology in Pest
Management

31. 31
 Nanopesticides
Metallic nanoparticles
 Migrational studies
 e-nose

32. Nanopesticides
“Nano-scale either active ingredients or inert ingredients
with a particle size of 100 nm or less”
Formulation of a pesticide
 Nano emulsion
 Nano suspension
 Nano encapsulation
 Nano particles
32

33. Nanoemulsions
 Consist of lipid or polymeric vesicles or particles
 Size 20-200 nm
 Larger surface area, slower release rate
 Non sedimentation or creaming
33

34. Nano emulsion
• Downsizing of natural oils to form nanoemulsions could be effective
as larvicidal agents
Anjali et al., 2012
Klang et al., 2012
Nano
Emulsion
High energy emulsion
High pressure
homogeniser
Ultra-sonification
Low energy emulsion
Self
emulsion
Phase
transition
Phase
inversion
34

35. In Vitro Characterization and Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) Repellent
Activity of Essential-Oils-Loaded Nanoemulsions
Nuchuchua et al., 2009
35
Nuchuchua et al., 2009

36. Nano suspensions
Submicron colloidal dispersions of pure active
compounds typically range from 50–500 nm
Solvent-diffusion methods
Improvement of efficacy due to higher surface area
Higher solubility, higher mobility
Induction of systemic activity due to smaller particle
size
36

37. Development of pyridalyl nanocapsule suspension for efficient management of
tomato fruit and shoot borer (Helicoverpa armigera)
Gopal et al., 2014 37

38. Nano encapsulation
• Encapsulation -packaging the nano-scale
active ingredient within a kind
of tiny 'envelope' or 'shell‘
Nanotechnology enables us to manipulate the properties of the
outer shell of a capsule
38

39. uses
Protection
Increase solubility
Reduce the contact of
active ingredients with
agricultural workers
Environment- reducing
run-off rates
Mohdzobir et al., 2005 39

40. Few designs
• Slow release – the capsule releases over a longer period of time
• Quick-release – breaks upon contact with a surface (e.g. when
pesticide hits a leaf )
• Moisture release – releases contents in the presence of water (e.g., in
soil)
• Heat-release – releases when the environment warms above a
certain temperature
• pH release –Releases only in specific pH (e.g., in the stomach
or inside a cell)
• Ultrasound release – ruptured by an external ultrasound Frequency
• DNA Nano capsule – smuggles a short strand of foreign DNA into a
living cell 40

41. Relative larvicidal potentiality of nano-encapsulated Temephos and
Imidacloprid against Culex quinquefasciatus
Bhan et al., 2014 41

43. 43

44. Nano particles
 Solid core or matrix, usually composed
of metallic atoms
 Material used for fabrication- Metal
oxide ceramics & silicates, magnetic
materials
silver nanoparticles synthesized using an aqueous leaf extract of Tinospora
cordifolia showed maximum mortality of head louse Pediculus humanus
Jayaseelan et al., 424011

45. Efficacy of plant-mediated synthesized silver nanoparticles against
Sitophilus oryzae
Zahir et al., 20415 2

46. Silver nano particle synthesis by Bt
• Silver nano particle were synthesised by the spore complex of
B. thuriengiensis
• These nanostructures are highly toxic to multi drug resistant
human pathogenic bacteria
Jain et al., 2010 46

47. Agro chemicals
• Agricultural chemical companies such as Monsanto, Syngenta
and BASF; have ventured in developing nanoparticle
pesticides
• The world's leading chemical company already sells a number
of pesticide emulsions containing nanoparticles
• The positive side of nanoparticle pesticides is that far less
need to be applied and reducing cost and environmental
damage.
47

48. • World’s largest agrochemical company syngenta have number of
chemicals with emulsions that contain nanoparticles.
Syngenta have obtained a patent for ‘GUTBUSTER’ microcapsule will break
open in alkaline environments, including the stomach of certain insects
(ETC Group, 2004).
Syngenta’s US Patent No. 6,544,540
To date, none of these agrochemicals are currently labeled as containing
nano particles.
48

49. Quick-Release Encapsulation
• Karate with Zeon Technology used against a broad spectrum
of cotton pests.
• The capsules are only 2.5 microns
• No problem of clogging
• Once applied, the quick-release capsules adhere strongly to the
foliage and immediately begin releasing the active ingredient.
49

50. Advanced technology…
• A fast knockdown of target pests
• Greater residual activity
• A strong UV protectant
• Strongly adhere to leaves providing better rain fastness,
improve the insecticide’s residual control
• Capsules are suspended in a water-based carrier
• Each liter Zeon microencapsulated formulation contains about
50 trillion capsules
50

51. 51

52. An overview of nano-formulations of insecticide under development
Formulation Product name Manufacture/
Company
(Gunasekaran, 2011)
Advantage
1. Nano emulsion Citronella oil NC, National Science
& Tech
Dvpt.,Agency,
Thailand.
Prolong mosquito
protection time.
Triazophos Clge. of Chemistry
& Environ.Science,
China
Relatively stable in
acidic and neutral
solutions and easily
hydrolyzed in basic
solution
2. Nanosuspension Novaluran Makhteshim
chemical works Ltd.,
Israel
Increased
penetration through
the cuticle.
Beta Cypermethrin College of chemistry
& Mol. Sci., Wuhan
University, China
Faster dissolution
rate
52

53. 3.Nanocapsules
Pyrethroid
nanocapsules
Hong Kong
Polytech.
University
Mosquito repellency ,
quick knock down and
higher insecticide
retention.
Nano imidacloprid Dept. of Life &Sci.
China.
Prolonged release time
Micro encapsulated
product
Karate® ZEON
(lambda-cyhalothrin)
Syngenta Quick release, improve
residual function,
protection from UV
Micro encapsulated
product
Gutbuster Syngenta Open and releases its
contents upon contact
with alkaline
environments (stomach
)
Micro encapsulated
product
Demand 2.5 CS
(γ-cyhalothrin)
Syngenta Rapid knock down
effect. Excellent
residual action, mixes
quickly and easily
Micro encapsulated
product
ICONET(γ-
cyhalothrin) 2.5CS
Syngenta Long lasting effect,
mosquito repellen5c3y

54. 4.Nanoparticles PEG coated
Nanoparticles
Loaded with Garlic
Essential Oil
Huazhong
Agricultural
University,Wuhan.
Slow and persistent
release of the active
components
Bifenthrin Princeton University,
Guangzhou, China
Higher efficiency,
better uniformity of
coverage for highly
active compounds
and less exposure to
workers
Avermectin Beijing University of
Chem. Tech, China.
Slow release of active
ingredients, UV
protectant.
Sugar coated novel
particle
(Biopesticides)
The University of
Queensland (UQ) &
the Queensland
Australia.
Protects the
particle’s active
ingredients from
environmental and
photo-degradat5i4on

55. Metallic Nanoparticles55

56. Silica nanoparticles a potential new
insecticide for pest control
56
Bendary et al., 2013

57. Duration of the larval, pupal, adult longevity (days), number of laid eggs and
hatchability (%) of treated and non-treated tomato plants. Temperature 25±1°C., RH:
70±10%,
Bendary et al.,527013

58. 58
DNA-tagged nano gold: A New Tool For The
Control Of The Spodoptera litura Fab.
(Chakravarthy et al., 2012)

59. Effect Of Different Concentrations Of DNA-tagged With
Nano Particle On 2nd Instar S. litura, Three, Fourth And Fifth
Treatment (PPM) Percentage of larval mortality days after treatment
3rd 4th 5th
200 10.0 (16.0)b 27.5 (31.4)c 35.0 (36.0)b
300 22.5 (28.2)a 42.5(40.7)b 62.5(52.3)a
400 25.0(29.7)a 55.0 (47.9)ab 72.5 (58.6)a
500 30.0 (33.2)a 57.5 (49.6) a 75.0(60.6)a
Control 0.0 (0.6)c 0.0 (0.6)d 0.0 (0.6)c
SEM ± 2.92 2.87 3.05
CD at 5 % 8.81 8.66 9.20
(Chakravarthy et al., 2012)
Days After Treatment
59

60. Three days after
treatment
four days after
treatment
five days after
treatment
six days after
treatment 60
seven days after
treatment
Control

61. e-Nose
• Operates like human nose
• Identify different types of odors and their
concentrations
• Use of ZnO nanoparticles
61

62. Nanotechnology In Migrational
Studies
• Quantum dots
 Marking insects
 Detecting and tracking insects
62

63. Long lasting pheromones
• Nanogel prepared using methyl eugenol (ME) + low-molecular
mass gelator.
• very Stable at ambient conditions
• Works well in rainy season
• Last for a month
63
Bhagat et al., 2013

64. Efficient Management of Fruit Pests by Pheromone Nanogels
6
4
Bhagat et al., 2013

65. 65

66. Nano particles in insects
• It has been observed that ferromagnetic materials are abundant
in head, thorax and abdomen of Socenopsis substituta ants
Abrocado et al., 2005
• ferromagnetic material has been detected in Apis mellifera
Linnaeus abdomens and identified as suitable for magnetic
reception
Desoil et al., 2005
66

67. • An array of nano-sized pillars in cicada (100 nm in diameter
and 300 nm in height)
• Hydrophobic and anti-reflection properties
67
Bhattacharya et al., 2010

68. Insects Into Flying Cyborgs
• HI-MEMS (Hybrid Insect-Micro Electro Mechanical Systems
68
DARPA, US

69. Application in sericulture
• 25 ppm of Silver nanoparticles can be used
as growth stimulant to increase the silk yield
Prabhu et al., 2011
• Production of Electrospun silk fibroin based
fibers using CNT
Seth et al., 2007
69

70. Potential Risks of Nanotechnology
 Health issues
Nanoparticles could be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed
through skin
they trigger inflammation and weaken the immune
system. And interfere with regulatory mechanisms of
enzymes and proteins
 Environmental issues
Nanoparticles could accumulate in soil, water and plants
 New risk assessment methods are needed
National and international agencies are beginning to
study the risk
 Results will lead to new regulations
70

71. 71

72. 72
Nano