Nano-materials: research needs in agriculture | Nanomatériaux: recherches nécessaires pour l'agriculture
2009
Knauer, K., Office federal de l'agriculture, Berne (Switzerland) | Bucheli, Th. D.
Use of synthetic nano-particles (NPs) in plant protection substances and fertilisers can provide advantages for the environment. On the one hand, NPs can be used as vehicles for active substances and on the other they can act as reduction-oxidation catalysts. This enables the quantity of active substances to be reduced and thus decreases the burden on the environment. Before using nano-materials in such substances, however, potential risks need to be studied. It should be then emphasised that chemico-physical properties of synthetic NPs depend on their size, form or surface chacteristics. Little is known as yet concerning the uptake of NPs in crops and their redistribution in the environment, and general predictions are therefore not possible. To date there exist almost no analytical methods for quantifying NPs in environmental samples. For these reasons, scientific projects need to be set up to determine the uptake of NPs in plants and their subsequent redistribution. Only such projects can help answering whether residues of NPs remain and, if so, whether they represent a hazard for man. A better understanding in how NPs affect the environment is needed before their use in agriculture is authorised. The relevant authorities and research teams should provide information for safe use of nano-technology so that NPs can be used in agriculture in a productive and sustainable way.
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