Nanobiotechnology

Biography

Biography: T N V K V Prasad

Abstract

Agri-nanotechnology (Application of nanotechnology in agriculture and allied sciences) is considered to be one of the emerging branches of Nano biotechnology. Nanoparticulate delivery of nutrients into crop plants was promising and proved to be enhancing the productivity, quality and nutrient bio fortification. Zinc is one of the important micronutrients required by crop plants and its role is vital in stimulation of biochemical processes (co-factor of all the six classes of enzymes) and nutrient absorption. Zinc has the ability of providing resistance to the cultivating plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, compared to other micronutrients, zinc deficiencies are wide spread and affect crop yields significantly across the globe. Zinc deficiency alone contributes to the tune of 20-30% crop yield loss and sufficiency of zinc increases the disease resistance and reproductively in humans. Therefore, the essentiality of zinc supplement concerns not only crop productivity but also human health. Foliar application (twice) of nanoscale zinc oxide (n-ZnO) relatively enhanced the yields of groundnut to the extent of 30%. Approximately, 15% yield enhancement has been recorded in maize with the foliar application of spherical shaped n-ZnO with mean size of 25 nm. Interestingly, with the application of 100 ppm of n-ZnO, the grain zinc content was increased to 36 ppm. Cabbage and cauliflower crops responded well to the n-ZnO by recording significant yields (12%) over other forms of zinc supplement tested and similar results were recorded with the black gram crop (18% yield enhancement). Thus, nanoparticulate delivery of plant nutrients, zinc in particular, is effective and ensures second green revolution through nanotechnology.