Agrinanotechnology : An instrumental act for global food and nutritional security

Title : Agrinanotechnology : An instrumental act for global food and nutritional security

Abstract:

Nanotechnologies (technologies or ideas which dealt with the objects / systems whose measured size is less than 100 nm in at least one dimension and whose properties are significantly differed from their bulk counter parts) are emerging across an array of scientific fields including medicine, electronics, 
textiles, materials science etc., However, the impact of nanotechnologies in agriculture and food sectors is not yet prominent. Agrinanotechnology (nanotechnologies used in agriculture and allied sciences) is going to play an important role in achieving agricultural sustainability which led to the global food security. Application of nanoscale nutrients (zinc, calcium etc., size < 50 nm) at relatively very low doses (@ 150 ppm and @400 ppm of zinc and calcium respectively) on different crops (peanut, maize, rice, sweet sorghum and blackgram) has been recorded significant yield enhancement (9-18%) and also nutrient bio-fortification compared to application (@ 2000 ppm) of their bulk compositions. It is note worthy that application of nanoscale materials reduced the use of plant protection chemicals. At nanoscale, size dependent dynamics in crop productivity has been observed which may lead to the production of designer agri-products at farm level. Thus agrinanotechnology is emerging as one of the important and essential tools in attaining global food and nutritional security. 

Audience take away:

•    Agrinanotechnology is a conceptual approach which includes the nanotechnologies that are being used in agriculture and allied sciences. Development of products for agricultural applications with nanotechnological interventions is the central idea of this presentation. 
•    There are limited reports available on the positive effects of nanoscale materials and a conceptual approach to use them in agriculture and allied sciences. The current presentation gives an insight to the prospective applications of nanoscale materials for agricultural productivity enhancement and nutrient bio-fortification.
•     Audience certainly enlighten on the possible avenues of application of nanoscale materials in agriculture sector.

Biography:

Dr.T. N. V. K. V. Prasad is now Principal Scientist and in-charge of Nanotechnology laboratory at Institute of Frontier Technology, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati. He completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D in Physics from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam India. He received prestigious Endeavour Research Award (2010) from the Govt. of Australia and did post doctoral research in nanotechnology at University of South Australia, Australia in 2010 and at University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA in 2011. He introduced the concept of “Agrinanotechnology (Applications of nanotechnology in agriculture and allied sciences)” More than 160 research papers were published in peer-reviewed journals excluding 24 Gen Bank submissions with h- index of 25 and coined the term “Phyconanotechnology”.. He received prestigious Dr.A.V.Krishnaiah Gold medal for best agricultural scientist - 2013 and Smt.Vallabhaneni Lakshmamma Gold medal for best research in agricultural sciences-2016. He also received many international awards including YSN-ASM Young Scientist from Academy of Sciences, Malaysia - 2017. He was the founder secretary of “Society of Agrinanotechnology” He visited many countries including USA, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand. Currently, his research focus is on the development of agriculturally beneficial nanoscale materials and study of their behavior in agro-ecosystems.