Nano Fertilizer in Modern Agriculture, A Sustainable Approach for Enhanced Crop Productivity and Soil Health: A Brief Review

A more innovative fertilizer strategy is needed to enhance the productivity of agricultural systems while remaining more environmentally sustainable than conventional synthetic fertilizers. This article reviews recent advancements in nano-fertilizers (NFs) and highlights their potential benefits in modern agriculture. Nano-fertilizers can significantly contribute to sustainable farming by improving nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in both field and greenhouse crops. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, which release nutrients within 4 to 10 days, NFs can provide a slow and steady nutrient supply over 40-50 days, either when applied alone or in combination with organic or inorganic fertilizers. In addition to enhancing nutrient availability, NFs also strengthen plant tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Their precise nutrient delivery minimizes environmental losses, enhances crop growth, and reduces the ecological footprint of agriculture. The use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) offers opportunities to replace or reduce conventional fertilizers and pesticides, thereby lowering environmental contamination. Controlled-release or slow-release nano-nitrogen fertilizers, in particular, have shown the potential to improve yields while reducing agro-environmental constraints. Nano-fertilizers, whether applied to soil or foliage represent one of the most promising engineered materials for future agricultural use. This article highlights the potential of nano-enabled fertilizers (n-NFs) as an innovative approach to improving NUE and reducing nutrient losses, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture. The targeted delivery and controlled release of nutrients through nanoscale active substances can significantly enhance agricultural efficiency. Additionally, the synthesis, mode of action, and various types of nano-fertilizers are examined, including those formulated with nanoparticles of essential macro- and micronutrients (such as N, P, K, Fe, and Mn). Compared to conventional fertilizers, which only improve nutrient usage efficiency (NUE) by 30–40%, nano-fertilizers can improve NUE by 80-90% by delivering nutrients to specific plants and controlling their release. These fertilizers make crops grow 10-30% better and lower the amount of chemicals in the soil by stopping nutrients from seeping and running off.