The yield of major agricultural crops can be severely decreased due to the inappropriate application of commonly used harmful chemicals. Excessive agrochemicals in field application can negatively affect microbial populations and their diversity, which in turn ultimately affects plant growth. Thus, it is necessary to turn toward more eco-friendly approaches which equally protect crops as well as the desirable microbial populations of complex soil systems. Nanoparticles are considered as potential agents for the production and development of sustainable agriculture. Green synthesis of nanoparticles has gained attention as a useful measure to diminish the harmful effects associated with the old methods of nanoparticle synthesis. Advances in Nanotechnology for Smart Agriculture: Techniques and Applications illustrates the science and practical applications of nanoparticles for sustainable agriculture.
- Examines the role of nanotechnology in agricultural best practices, including sustainable development, precision farming, and long-term soil health
About the Author: Dr. Parul Chaudhary is working as an Assistant Professor in the School of Agriculture, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. She has teaching and research experience of more than 5 years. She received her PhD in Microbiology at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology from Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar, India. Her doctoral research focused on nanotechnology and microbial inoculants utilized for maintenance of plant and soil health for sustainable agriculture. Her areas of interests in the agricultural field include microbiology, nanotechnology, bioremediation and soil metagenomics. She has published more than 36 research and review articles in reputed journals. She co- authored 13 book chapters with Elsevier and Springer. She has reviewed publications for various national and international journals. She is also a member of the guest editorial board in Frontiers in Environmental Science. She has received the Young Scientist Award from Bioved Research Institute, Prayagraj, India.
Mr. Anuj Chaudhary worked as an Assistant Professor at Shobhit University, Gangoh, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He has completed his Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology and Master of Technology in Agricultural processing & Food Engineering from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, India. His area of interest is in agriculture microbiology, biotechnology, agricultural processing, and nanotechnology. He has published 12 research articles in highly reputed international journals and authored six book chapters.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Nadda is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. He holds an extensive Research and Teaching experience of more than 8 years in the field of microbial biotechnology, with research expertise focusing on various issues pertaining to nano-biocatalysis, microbial enzymes, biomass, bioenergy, and climate change. Dr. Ashok teaches Enzymology and Enzyme Technology, Microbiology, Environmental Biotechnology, Bioresources, and Industrial Products to undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students. He holds international work experiences in South Korea, India, Malaysia, and People's Republic of China. He worked as a post-doctoral fellow in the State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China. He also worked as a Brain Pool Researcher/Assistant Professor at Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Ashok has a keen interest in microbial enzymes, biocatalysis, CO2 conversion, biomass degradation, biofuel synthesis, and bioremediation. His work has been published in various internationally reputed journals, namely Chemical Engineering Journal, Bioresource Technology, Scientific Reports, Energy, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Science of the Total Environment, and Journal of Cleaner Production. Dr. Ashok has published more than 185 scientific contributions in the form of research, review, books, book chapters, and others at several platforms in various journals of international repute. The research output includes 120 research articles, 43 book chapters, and 22 books. He is the main series editor of Microbial Biotechnology for Environment, Energy and Health that publishes books under Taylor & Francis/CRC Press, USA. He is also a member of the editorial board and reviewer committee of the various journals of international repute. He has presented his research findings in more than 40 national/international conferences. Dr. Ashok is also an active reviewer for many high-impact journals published by Elsevier, Springer Nature, ASC, RSC, and Nature Publishers. His research works have gained broad interest through his highly cited research publications, book chapters, conference presentations, and invited lectures.
Dr. Priyanka Khati is working as a Scientist at ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand, India. She has completed her MSc and PhD in Microbiology from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India. Her research interests are in microbiology, nanotechnology, soil metagenomics, soil health, and biofertilizers in the agriculture field. She has published more than 43 research papers in highly esteemed international journals and authored 15 book chapters. She has reviewed publications for various national and international journals.
