www.IndianJournals.com Members Copy, Not for Commercial Sale Downloaded From IP - 14.139.226.146 on dated 20-May-2014 Trends in Biosciences 6 (5): 503-506, 2013 MINI REVIEW Emerging Consequence of Nanotechnology in Agriculture: An Outline V.K. MISHRA 1* , D.K. DWIVEDI 2 AND U.S. MISHRA 1 1 Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya Chitrakoot, Satna (M.P.) - 485780. 2 Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad. 224229. email: vinay.mishra111@gmail.com ABSTRACT DNA has been used not only to build nanostructures but also as an essential component of nano-machines. Many vitamins and their precursors, such as carotenoids, are insoluble in water. However, when formulated as nanoparticles, these substances can easily be mixed with cold water, and their bioavailability in the human body also increases. With the help of nanotechnology developed Nano Vaccines, Nano-apoptosis and other role in Animal Breeding, Post-Harvest Management, Food Biotechnology, fertilizer, pesticide and water purification system. Application area of biochips and micro fluidic chips is very broad, ranging from high throughput screening, cell analysis and drug discovery to portable devices for minimal- invasive therapy, precision surgery as well as drug delivery in a human kind as well as plant. Key words Nano-machine, Nanobar Codes, Bioengineering, Micro chip. Nanotechnology for Crop Biotechnology: Chemists have successfully crafted three-dimensional molecular structures, a breakthrough that unites biotechnology and nanotechnology. They made DNA crystals by producing synthetic DNA sequences that can self- assemble into a series of three-dimensional triangle-like patterns. The DNA crystals have “sticky-ends” or small cohesive sequences that can attach to another molecule in an organized fashion. When multiple helices are attached through single-stranded sticky ends, there would be a lattice-like structure that extends in six different directions, forming a three-dimensional crystal as illustrated in Figure 1. This technique could be applied in improving important crops by organizing and linking carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids to these crystals (Seeman et al., 2009). Nanoparticles can serve as ‘magic bullets’, containing herbicides, chemicals, or genes, which target particular plant parts to release their content. Nanocapsules can enable effective penetration of herbicides through cuticles and tissues, allowing slow and constant release of the active substances. Chemists at the Iowa State University have utilized a 3 nm mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) in delivering DNA and chemicals into isolated plant cells. MSNs are chemically coated and serve as containers for the genes delivered into the plants. The coating triggers the plant to take the particles through the cell walls, where the genes are inserted and activated in a precise and controlled manner, without any toxic side or after effects. This technique has been applied to introduce DNA successfully to tobacco and corn plants. Nanoparticles and Recycling Agricultural Waste: Nanotechnology is also applied to prevent waste in agriculture, particularly in the cotton industry. When cotton is processed into fabric or garment, some of the cellulose or the fibers are discarded as waste or used for low-value products such as cotton balls, yarns and cotton batting. With the use of newly-developed solvents and a technique called electro spinning, scientists produce 100 nm diameter fibers that can be used as a fertilizer or pesticide absorbent. These high-performance absorbents allow targeted application at desired time and location. Rice husk, a rice-milling byproduct can be used as a source of renewable energy. When rice husk is burned into thermal energy or biofuel, a large amount of high-quality nanosilica is produced which can be further utilized in making other materials such as glass and concrete. Since there is a continuous source of rice husk, mass production of nanosilica through nanotechnology can alleviate the growing rice husk disposal concern. Nanotech Delivery Systems for Pests, Nutrients, and Plant Hormones: Nanosensors and nano-based smart delivery systems could help in the efficient use of agricultural natural resources like water, nutrients and chemicals through precision farming. Through the use of nanomaterials and global positioning systems with satellite imaging of fields, farm managers could remotely detect crop pests or evidence of stress such as drought. Once pest or drought is detected, there would be automatic adjustment of pesticide applications or irrigation levels. Nanosensors dispersed in the field can also detect the presence of plant viruses and the level of soil nutrients. Nano- encapsulated slow release fertilizers have also become a trend to save fertilizer consumption and to minimize environmental pollution.