jf302154y_si_001.pdf (395.25 kB)
Nanomaterials in Plant Protection and Fertilization: Current State, Foreseen Applications, and Research Priorities
journal contribution
posted on 2012-10-03, 00:00 authored by Alexander Gogos, Katja Knauer, Thomas D. BucheliScientific publications and patents on nanomaterials
(NM) used
in plant protection or fertilizer products have exponentially increased
since the millennium shift. While the United States and Germany have
published the highest number of patents, Asian countries released
most scientific articles. About 40% of all contributions deal with
carbon-based NM, followed by titanium dioxide, silver, silica, and
alumina. Nanomaterials come in many diverse forms (surprisingly often
≫100 nm), from solid doped particles to (often nonpersistent)
polymer and oil–water based structures. Nanomaterials serve
equally as additives (mostly for controlled release) and active constituents.
Product efficiencies possibly increased by NM should be balanced against
enhanced environmental NM input fluxes. The dynamic development in
research and its considerable public perception are in contrast with
the currently still very small number of NM-containing products on
the market. Nanorisk assessment and legislation are largely in their
infancies.