NATIONAL RURAL ISSUES Transformative …...paint, glue, cleaning products, sports equipment, fabric...
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Nanomaterials
NATIONAL RURAL ISSUES
Transformative technologies
A fact sheet series on new and emerging transformative technologies in Australian agriculture
� Because of their very small size and unique chemical, optical, electronic or mechanical properties, nanomaterials can be used to manufacture products that are much smaller, lighter, reactive or soluble than conventional products.
� In agriculture, a key characteristic of interest is that nanomaterials are readily transported into the cells of both plants and animals.
� Nanomaterials present opportunities to develop more targeted and efficient agricultural inputs, soil sensors and intelligent food packaging.
� Being an emerging technology, it is important to understand the potential effects of agricultural nanomaterials on human health and the environment.
Snapshot
Nanomaterials exist in nature or can be manufactured. Often they are nanoscale forms of naturally-occurring materials but with different characteristics, or properties, to the natural or bulk form. It is the unique properties of nanomaterials that have enabled the development of innovative products across many industries.
The term ‘nanomaterial’ generally refers to a material (or its component particles) that is
measured in the scale of nanometres. A nanometre (nm) is one billionth of a metre — too
tiny to imagine. A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nm thick and most animal cells are 10,000
to 20,000 nm in diameter.
The use of a nanomaterial is determined by its physical and/or chemical properties. Its
behaviour will depend on the biological, chemical and physical environment in which it
interacts. The same nanomaterial may behave quite differently in atmospheric, aquatic
and terrestrial environments.
Naturally-occurring nanomaterials are common in everyday life. They exist in the human body
in blood, body fat and certain viruses. The wax layer on some plants contains nanomaterials
as do volcanic ash, bushfire emissions, ocean spray, fine sand and dust.
Manufactured nanomaterials are present in a number of consumer products. For example,
many sunscreens contain nanoforms of titanium oxide and zinc oxide, to produce an easier
to apply and more opaque product with better light deflection properties than sunscreens
made using bulk forms of the oxides.
Widespread application of nanomaterials is constrained in agriculture due to uncertain
commercial viability and, to some extent, public concerns about the effects of nanomaterials
on food quality and human and environmental health.
A fact sheet series on new and emerging
transformative technologies in Australian agriculture
Agricultural applications
Nanomaterials, because of their very small size, can be used in the manufacture of much smaller, stronger or lighter products than those made of the ‘non-nanoscale’ material. They are also used to make devices that transmit energy and products that are readily transported within human, animal and plant systems.
Materials that are nanoscale have been used by humans for centuries, however the term nanotechnology
was only coined in the 1970s and commercial applications of nanomaterials appeared during the 1990s.
Nanomaterials have applications in many sectors, including construction, transport (including space), energy,
health, cosmetics and consumer goods. Nanomaterials are found in products such as electronic devices,
paint, glue, cleaning products, sports equipment, fabric coatings, plastics, medicines, sunscreen, toothpaste
and food additives.
Developing and emerging uses of nanomaterials include products for environmental remediation and water
filtration, solar cells, sensors for soil and water quality, devices for sensing and tracking food (for quality and
spoilage), and formulations for site-specific and slow-release agricultural chemicals.
The unique chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials, particularly high surface area, high reactivity
and tunable pore size (i.e. pore size that can be modified or manufactured to requirement), can be used to
advantage in many agricultural applications. Nanotechnology is predicted to revolutionise agriculture and
food in the same ways hybrid varieties, synthetic chemicals and biotechnology have done.
As at 2016, the main areas of innovation in agricultural nanomaterials that are moving towards
commercialisation are in the production of pesticides, fertiliser and vaccines.
Safely protecting crops Nanopesticides have the potential to provide site-specific and slow-release activity on pests and diseases
of plants, with benefits in reduced input costs and less risk to the environment.
Nanopesticides may contain a nanoscale active ingredient that because of its very small size has increased
solubility, therefore more active ingredient is taken into the cells of the plant than is the case with conventional
pesticides. Alternatively, a nanopesticide may be a nanoscale material that is used as a carrier or coating for a
conventional active ingredient. The carrier or coating can be formulated to be slow release or to release the
active ingredient in response to a trigger, such as the chemicals released by a plant in the presence of a
pathogen.
Nanopesticides can also be formulated using biological ‘active ingredients’ rather than chemical ones. The
University of Queensland has developed a pesticide by impregnating nanoclay with biological material (gene
silencing RNA) that triggers a plant’s defence response to a target pathogen. Several other nanoclay based
nanopesticides are being investigated by scientists in Australia.
Nanopesticides are not commercially available in Australia, and availability is limited overseas. Globally there
are 3000 registered patents for pesticides developed using nanotechnology, indicating to some extent, the
potential for future commercialisation.
Increasing fertiliser efficiencyThe unique chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials present many possibilities for the development
of nanofertilisers. Research is currently focused on three main forms: nutrient contained within a nonporous
nanomaterial for direct application to plants; conventional fertiliser coated with nanoscale polymer film; and
nutrient delivered as particles or emulsions at nanoscale dimensions. A very recent development is conventional
fertiliser or nanofertilisers coated with polymer containing nanoscale biosensors.
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Scientists from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute have produced phosphorus nanofertiliser, which
is three time more efficient in terms of uptake of applied nutrient, compared with conventional inorganic
phosphorus fertilisers. This nano-phosphorus was produced by biosynthesis, with microbial enzymes
breaking down the bulk form inorganic phosphorus to its nanoscale. In 2015, the Institute was negotiating
commercialisation of the technology with an investor.
Fertilisers coated in nanoscale polymers increase product stability and control nutrient release from the
granules. Based on this concept, researchers in Canada, led by the Department of Agriculture and Agri-food,
have developed intelligent fertiliser. Plant roots release chemical signals to stimulate micro-organisms in the soil
to mineralise nitrogen from organic matter. Biosensors incorporated into a polymer coating on urea granules
also respond to the signals by changing the permeability of the polymer coating and releasing
nitrogen from the urea granule as required by the plant.
Scientists at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology are investigating the potential
of engineered nanoclay to develop fertiliser products for a range of macro and micro-nutrients.
Advancing animal husbandryNanomaterials can provide innovative animal health products, through vaccines and patches, with improved
shelf life and controlled delivery of active ingredients. Smart products can be designed for target delivery,
increasing the concentration of medicine at the affected tissue or organ and decreasing concentration in
healthy non-target tissues. Globally, a range of animal health and veterinary products is available with many
more in development but as at 2016, a small animals’ anaesthetic is the only nanomaterial-based product
available in Australia.
Research has demonstrated that a range of nanomaterials, e.g. liposomes, dendrimers and nanoclays, can be
engineered to be ‘loaded’ with a specific medicine. Once administered to an animal, the medicine is released
at a target site or at a sustained rate to provide extended protection.
Other potential applications of nanomaterials include additives in stock feed to enhance availability of minerals
and vitamins to the animal and protect it against mycotoxins and food-borne pathogens. Self-regulating drugs,
delivered by nanomaterials, provide opportunities to better regulate livestock growth and improve fertility. In
food-producing animals, nanotechnology provides many opportunities to reduce the use of antibiotics.
Enhancing agriculture and environmentIn addition to the main areas of development of agricultural nanomaterials (pesticides, fertilisers and animal
health), there are many other proposed applications from plant breeding to environmental remediation.
Engineered nanomaterials based on nanoclays and silica could be potential delivery systems of DNA to plant
cells, in order to transform the plant’s genetics for a range of agronomic advantages. Electrochemically-active
nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, nanofibres and fullerenes are highly sensitive biochemical sensors.
The materials could be used to closely monitor environmental conditions, plant health and plant growth, to
provide feedback to a range of crop management systems. Biochemical sensors such as nanodots could also
have a role in pesticide detection and determining soil nutrient status. Some nanomaterials, including nanoclays
and nanozeolites, enhance the water-holding capacity of soil, and therefore have the potential to extend the
period of water availability during the growing season of a crop.
Improving food and water qualityNanomaterials have the potential to be food ingredients, additives or supplements, to enhance colour,
nutritional value, shelf life and eating quality. Nanomaterials used in food may be naturally occurring or
manufactured (engineered) oxides of titanium, silicon and zinc.
Nanomaterials can be used in food packaging for a range of purposes. Nanoparticles of clay will make
packaging more robust, a nanoform biopolymer (vegetable origin) can make packaging more water resistant
and easily recyclable, and nanosilver in packaging will act as a disinfectant.
Intelligent food packaging that contains nanomaterials or nanosensors is sensitive to air and moisture changes,
or can indicate temperature changes, leakage or spoilage. This technology has the potential to improve food
quality and public health.
Nanomaterials could be developed to improve water quality and safety in treatment and filtration processes.
For example, nanoporous membranes could remove arsenic, viruses, bacteria, organic material, nitrates and salt
from groundwater and surface water, without the need for chlorine or other sanitisation agents; and graphene,
due to its high surface area and electronic characteristics, can detect heavy and/or toxic metals in water.
A fact sheet series on new and emerging
transformative technologies in Australian agriculture
Photo - Karl Robinson
Tiny technology with big potential in crop protection
An environmentally-friendly and easy-to-deliver pesticide for broadacre and intensive crops has been developed by Queensland scientists. The new pesticide is a non-toxic formulation of clay and RNA molecules that can target one or a combination of viruses and insects.
The issueEven with the best crop management plans in place,
viruses and insects challenge all farmers. A certain set
of weather conditions or an ill-fated combination of
crops across neighbouring farms can suddenly and
quickly put a successful cropping season at risk.
Farmers have access to many effective pesticides
based on chemical formulations; and many of these
have been integral to successful pest management
programs and sustainable farm businesses. However,
the ongoing usefulness of chemical pesticides
depends on the availability of a range of product
options with different modes of chemical action on
the target pathogens and pests. A variety of products
is essential to reduce the opportunity for targets to
develop pesticide resistance.
Genetic engineering or modification (GM) provides
a crop protection solution, with inbuilt resistance to
some pests and diseases. However a GM solution is
not available for all crops, and it is not the preferred
choice for all producers and consumers. Similarly,
not all producers and consumers wish to produce
or consume food products from crops that have
been treated with chemical-based pesticides.
Associate Professor Neena Mitter and Associate
Professor Zhiping Xu at the University of Queensland
have identified a way to protect crops from viruses
and insects without the use of toxic chemicals or
engineered plants.
The technologyBased at the University of Queensland, the Queensland
Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and
the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and
Nanotechnology, Drs Mitter and Xu have determined
how to manufacture a naturally-occurring nanoscale
clay mineral.
Called BioClay, the material is a very safe and effective
delivery agent for a range of biomolecules in living
systems. The group claims that BioClay is the world’s
first non-toxic, non-GM, biodegradable crop protection
platform. BioClay also has potential use in the delivery
of medicines for animals and humans.
Based on principles of nanotechnology and
biotechnology, Dr Mitter identified the potential
to use BioClay to encapsulate and deliver gene
silencing RNA to plants.
RNA is a single stranded ribonucleic acid, which is a
molecule that occurs in all living cells, and is involved
in the coding, decoding, regulation and expression of
genes. Gene silencing molecules are double-stranded
RNA or dsRNA.
When dsRNA molecules derived from a target virus
or insect pest are applied to leaves, the plant ‘thinks’
it is being attacked and its immune system develops
a response. In the instance of Dr Mitter’s work, the
applied molecule is a gene silencing RNA, which
effectively means that the plant’s immune system has
gained the ‘knowledge’ to destroy the pathogen about
to or already attacking the plant. The process of using
a target’s own RNA to act against it is called RNA
interference (or RNAi).
The benefitsAs a potential crop protection system, BioClay
offers new advantages or complements current
crop protection methods for both agriculture
and horticulture.
The immediate benefits of the BioClay technology will
be to provide industry with a lower cost option for
developing crop protection systems, explained Dr Mitter.
Protecting food crops
against viruses and insects
can be difficult when
available chemical options
are limited or pose a risk
to humans and the
environment.
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Nanomaterials
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Case study
Contact detailsA/Prof Neena Mitter
Queensland Alliance
for Agriculture and
Food Innovation
University of Queensland
T: 07 3346 6513
W: www.qaafi.uq.edu.au/
mitter-neena
Photo - University of Queensland
“On average it costs about $250 million to research,
develop and register a new crop protection product
based on chemistry.
“Community aversion to GM produce, pesticide
resistance, risks for human and wildlife health, and
pollution into waterways due to pesticide toxicity
act as major setbacks to the development and
acceptance to some of these products.”
In particular, BioClay provides a new system to
combat viral diseases of crops. Viruses are one of the
major pathogens responsible for plant diseases but
there are no control products available commercially
that target the virus itself.
Dr Mitter’s RNA approach means the product is target
specific, and therefore very safe in biological systems.
Because BioClay is biodegradable, there will be no
residues in the soil or end-product.
BioClay can carry the RNA of a range of pathogens
and pests that affect crops. Further it can carry RNA
from several different organisms at once, as well as
RNA from viruses and insects in the same product.
The slow-release nature of the BioClay product is
another advantage compared with conventional pest
control. When applied to the surface of leaves on its
own, RNA breaks down quickly. When formulated
with BioClay and sprayed onto plants, RNA is released
slowly, at a sustained rate for an extended time.
The product is convenient and easy to use, so the
practical aspects of crop protection for farmers
remain unchanged; maybe with the added benefit
of less spraying due to the extended action.
The futureDr Mitter’s work received a ‘Grand Challenges
Explorations Award’ from the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation in 2012. The award recognised the
benefits of BioClay for crop protection in agriculture
in developed and developing countries.
In 2016, Dr Mitter and her colleagues have completed
several years of glasshouse trials targeting pathogens
that cause significant economic losses to crops
such as tomatoes, beans, chickpeas and cotton —
with success.
The promising prospects of BioClay have attracted
an industry partner, Nufarm Australia Limited,
which is investing in the proof of concept and
product development along with UniQuest,
the commercialisation arm of the University
of Queensland.
With the use of new and emerging technologies,
BioClay has the potential to play an important role
in the future of agriculture. Increased production
will rely on new and alternative methods of crop
protection and improved sustainability requires inputs
with minimal risk to human and environmental health.
A formulation of nano-sized
clay and precisely-targeted
pest molecules is a safe and
promising crop protection
option of the future.
A fact sheet series on new and emerging
transformative technologies in Australian agriculture
Transforming agriculture
Photo - CSIRO
With the expectation that the world’s population will exceed nine billion by 2050, nanomaterials are regarded as part of the solution of meeting the rising demand for food, water and energy without increasing the consumption of natural resources.
Over the last five to ten years, leading organisations including the International Food Policy Research Institute,
the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the European Union, have called for more research
into the role of nanotechnology in feeding the world, by improving farm production and water safety,
particularly in the poorest regions of the world.
Nanomaterials are widely promoted as being central to improved productivity and profitability of agriculture
in the future, in both developed and developing countries. Input products formulated using nanomaterials
are regarded as more environmentally friendly and require less energy, water and non-renewable resources
to manufacture.
In addition to innovative farm inputs, nanomaterials have potential to transform the entire agricultural supply
chain, from plant breeding to food processing and packaging. New products made possible with the use of
nanomaterials are generally viewed as having a positive effect on the environment, through fewer off-target
impacts, reduced residues in soil and water, and greater biodegradability.
Higher production efficiency Agricultural nanomaterials will have the ability to increase production efficiency due to lower application rates
or doses to achieve the desired effect, compared with conventional products. In addition, many formulations of
nanopesticides, nanofertilisers and nanovaccines are described as ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ and are designed to act,
or react, only in certain conditions (the presence of a pest, presence of infection or in response to nutrient
demand), therefore applied product is not lost from the production system.
In particular for pesticides, nanomaterials can reduce the volume of spray required, which in turn reduces spray
drift and off-target impact. The high solubility of nanopesticides and nanoclays means that spray products are
easy to prepare and do not require frequent stirring, they will not block up filters and nozzles in spray equipment
as conventional pesticides may do, and the product remains in solution for a longer time than conventional
pesticide products.
The stable nature and much lower volume of spray mixture paves the way for autonomous application (smart
delivery) of pesticides, in response to in-field sensors that could detect and locate crop infestations.
The novel formulations of pesticides using nanomaterials present an opportunity to introduce new modes of
pesticidal action to pest and disease control programs in crops. This is essential for overcoming existing resistance
in target organisms to conventional pesticides, as well as for developing future management programs.
Nanomaterials, including nanosensors, will complement and augment precision agriculture, where farmers are
using a range of data collection and decision-support technologies to refine and vary the application of inputs,
in order to maximise yield and minimise waste. Pesticides, fertilisers and animal health products formulated
using nanomaterials will further refine the goal of precision application through intelligent products that release
active ingredients as required or in response to target situations.
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Reduced environmental impactThe high solubility of nanomaterials means that nanopesticides are quickly absorbed through the leaves
of the plant, reducing not only potential wastage of product through spray drift and run-off, but also
minimising the risk to human health and the environment. With lower application rates and more targeted
activity made possible by nanotechnology, off-site impacts, runoff and residues are much less likely, reducing
risks of contaminating soil and water.
Nanotechnology has identified a potential range of ‘greener’ nanopesticides to achieve environmental
sustainability benefits derived from naturally-occurring active ingredients, such as pheromones and essential oils.
Nanomaterials could also be the basis for safer adjuvants such as biodegradable polymers or clay nanoparticles.
There is also potential to develop delivery systems for agricultural inputs using nanomaterials based on proteins
and carbohydrates (biopolymers), which have low impact on human health and the environment.
Nanofertilisers are regarded as more environmentally friendly and sustainable than conventional fertiliser
because less volume of product is required to achieve the effective nutrient application rates. Researchers
in India claim that nano-phosphorus fertiliser enhances nutrient mobilisation, soil structure and moisture
retention, and ultimately, improves yield, while using less natural resource for its manufacture, compared
with conventional fertilisers.
Similarly, developers of intelligent fertilisers in Canada assert that polymer-coated nitrogen fertiliser that releases
nutrient at times and amounts required by the crop, minimises losses of nitrogen to the atmosphere, leaching
and runoff of nitrates.
Promising opportunitiesWhile there are promising opportunities for using nanomaterials in agriculture, most products have not been
commercialised. In reality, until farmers can be shown clear and demonstrated benefits over conventional
technologies and the demand is sufficient to convince developers to invest, agricultural nanomaterials
are unlikely to have the transformative effect on agriculture that the technology promises. However,
the experience of other industries in Australia and globally, is that nanomaterials have steadily become
economical and effective ingredients or components of choice for thousands of everyday products.
A fact sheet series on new and emerging
transformative technologies in Australian agriculture
Challenges for adoption
Agriculture is a new frontier for nanotechnology and nanomaterials, both in Australia and overseas. The main challenges for adoption of the technology are the significant cost to develop commercial products and uncertain public attitudes and regulatory requirements.
The adoption of nanomaterials in agriculture lags behind the uptake of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in
many other industries, such as electronics, construction, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
In 2015, there were over 3000 patents registered globally for nanopesticides, which indicates the anticipated
potential of such products. However, very few of these products are available commercially overseas, and in
Australia, there are no agricultural nanomaterials in use — although there is a veterinary anaesthetic for small
animals containing a nanomaterial in its formulation.
Ready to use nanotechnologyThere are many promising applications of nanomaterials in agriculture, however there have also been
applications that have showed no benefit at all. The adoption and success of nanomaterials in agriculture
requires the discovery of unique properties and processes, followed by time and resource-consuming
development to ensure the product can deliver benefits to farmers, the environment and/or consumers.
Currently, the nanomaterials that provide delivery systems and slow-release mechanisms for active ingredients
of pesticides and vaccines appear to be the main focus of development; whereas products that are nanoscale
versions of conventional active ingredients or nutrients have not always shown benefits over their bulk forms.
Cost of developmentCompanies developing agricultural products based on nanomaterials face the same challenge as companies
developing conventional agricultural products. That is, balancing the investment required to develop, validate
and register a product with likely returns from a relatively small market, when compared with markets for
consumer goods such as electronic equipment and sporting goods. While there is uncertainty displayed by
consumers and regulatory authorities, globally and locally, there will be very cautious development of product.
Consumer confidenceWhile there is strong advocacy by some organisations for a moratorium on the commercial use of
nanomaterials until risks and safety are satisfactorily assessed, public attitude to nanotechnology and
nanomaterials is more positive. An Australian government survey showed about half of respondents believed
that the benefits of nanomaterials outweighed the risks. While only 22% of respondents claimed to have an
understanding of the technology — the lack of knowledge had not translated into negative sentiment, as had
been observed for other emerging technologies, such as genetically modified foods. A survey by University
of Sydney found that the public regarded nanomaterials differently to and more favourably than ‘chemicals’
but researchers concluded that if nanomaterials were treated as chemicals by Australian regulators, public
perception may become more negative. A review of nanomaterials published in a US reported similarly, that the
public seemed to be unconcerned about many applications of nanotechnology, except in areas where there is
pre-existing social concern, such as pesticides.
Uncertain regulationsThe diversity and complexity of public attitude towards nanomaterials creates uncertainty about future public
policy and regulations, which in turn may deter investment in the development and commercialisation of many
agricultural nanomaterials.
Governments of many countries are still developing a definition for nanomaterials, for regulatory purposes,
and reviewing food labelling protocols for products containing nanomaterials. There is concern among
scientists that labelling requirements will create a stigma for nanomaterials, preventing future development
and application. Many ingredients that will require identification on labels have been used for decades and
are naturally occurring nanomaterials such as clay, silica, polymers and pigments.
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Policy and regulation
Nanomaterials have the potential to increase farm productivity and efficiency, and reduce off-target impacts of agricultural chemicals. However, the very characteristics of nanomaterials that enable these benefits may also pose a threat to human health and the environment.
It has been generally accepted that nanomaterials are safe to humans and the environment, which is
reflected by the fact that nanomaterials exist in many readily available consumer products and foods.
However, as nanotechnology becomes more sophisticated and complex, and novel and innovative products
are developed, scientists and governments recognise the need for a cautious approach, particularly where
nanomaterials are applied to food crops.
At a policy level, nanomaterials generally are not a prominent issue. Many industries have been using
products that contain nanomaterials for several decades. However, there is concern from some scientists, and
environmental and food safety groups about potential dangers going unheeded by government and regulators.
Currently there are no mandatory standards covering the use of nanoscale particles in consumer goods. In 2014,
in response to concern of some consumer groups, the European Union changed its food labelling legislation and
now requires engineered nanomaterial ingredients, such as whiteners, colours and preservatives, to be listed.
In Australia, products containing nanomaterials are regulated by several different authorities, depending on the
end use of the product. These authorities include: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (food), Therapeutic
Goods Administration (medicines and some sunscreens), National Industrial Chemicals Notification and
Assessment Scheme (cosmetics and sunscreens, as well as industrial chemicals) and Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority (pesticides and animal medicines). Definitions for nanomaterials vary across the
world and in Australia, industry-specific definitions have been developed by regulatory organisations.
The Australian regulator of agricultural chemicals published the results of a review of regulation of agricultural
nanomaterials in 2015, and concluded that “existing regulatory frameworks developed for macroscale chemicals
will be used to regulate nanomaterials. Over time, however, the framework will evolve as new information
highlighting limitations in the current risk assessment paradigm becomes available”.
Australia’s regulations in regards to nanomaterials and nanotechnology are evolving in line with worldwide
regulatory approaches for industrial, human therapeutic and agvet chemicals. Countries such as Canada,
Australia, the European Union, the UK and the USA face similar challenges in areas such as terminology,
measurement, testing methods and standards.
Government is well aware that certain nanomaterials in the workplace could put the health of workers at risk.
Safe Work Australia provides policy direction, conducts research and provides guidance on the potential work
safety and health implications from applications of nanotechnology. It also contributes to international efforts
on the same. As with all industries, employers and workers in agriculture need to keep abreast of the evolving
knowledge of the safety of nanomaterials.
A fact sheet series on new and emerging
transformative technologies in Australian agriculture
Instant soil test results in the field with nanosensors
Nanosensors already have a track record for detecting nutrient levels and contaminants to manage water quality. A team of researchers is now investigating nanosensors to detect soil nutrient levels, paving the way for more precise application of agricultural fertilisers.
Assessment of soil nutrient
status currently depends
on removing soil cores
from the paddock but
frequently samples are
too few or too variable
to be a reliable measure.
The issueFaced with the challenge of feeding nine billion
people by 2050, as well as developing and expanding
their own businesses, the world’s farmers are looking
to new technologies to lift production and food
quality with minimal impact on the environment.
Agricultural researchers say that the next ‘green
revolution’ will depend on greater efficiencies and
more precise management of growing environments.
While crop rotations and pasture phases enhance soil
fertility, natural and synthetic fertilisers will remain an
essential part of high-yielding farming systems.
Fertiliser application has become more efficient and
average yields have increased in recent decades with
the advent of yield mapping and variable rate fertiliser
application. However these approaches do not
provide background information on soil health or
nutrient levels. More efficient fertiliser use, particularly
phosphorus, is also driven by the world heading
towards ‘peak phosphorus’ as finite reserves of rock
phosphate diminish and costs increase.
Refining fertiliser application by soil nutrient monitoring
depends on the laborious task of physically collecting
soil from the paddock. Soils are notoriously variable, so
the number of samples taken and accurate sampling
method are important to ensure that the sample is
representative and the results that come back from
the laboratory are meaningful.
The technologyResearchers from the CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship
and the Chinese Academy of Science are involved in
a project that could take the hard work and inaccuracy
out of monitoring soil nutrients.
CSIRO Research Program Director, Dr Ivan Cole,
explained that certain nanomaterials were used
already to monitor water quality and heavy metals
in soils, however there were not similar commercial
applications for agriculture.
“Research is needed to identify appropriate
nanomaterials and develop a device that can detect
a range of nutrients and other soil characteristics
important to farmers. Our aim is to develop a low-cost
sensing device for monitoring and mapping soil
nutrients and contaminant levels.
“Currently, we don’t know what materials would
be most suitable for detecting key soil nutrients,
such as phosphates and nitrates. These nutrients,
which are of principle interest in agriculture, are
challenging to monitor accurately owing to their
dynamic nature in soils.”
It is proposed that nanodots (or quantum dots), one
of seven main classes of nanomaterials could be used
to make the sensors. Nanodots are semi-conducting,
crystalline nanomaterials, with unique optical
properties. They make ideal sensors because they have
a high level of fluorescence, exhibit long-term stability,
detect multiple signals simultaneously and their light
emission can be customised.
While a major aim of the project is to identify the
most effective nanomaterials for sensing nutrients
in a dynamic agricultural environment, the materials
must also be environmentally friendly and economic
to manufacture.
The researchers will build a library of suitable
nanomaterials and determine their sensitivity to a
range of concentrations of phosphate and nitrate.
The relationships between the sensing material
and the nutrients within the soil are complex but
understanding these will be both a scientific and
industrial breakthrough.
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Case study
Contact detailsDr Ivan Cole
High Performance
Metal Industries Program
CSIRO Manufacturing
T: 03 9545 2054
Photo - CSIRO
The benefitsWith laboratory and field testing planned, the
research has the potential to identify an easy-to-
operate and low-cost method for monitoring and
mapping soil nutrient levels. The resulting technology
will be simpler, quicker and cheaper than current soil
analysis procedures.
Sensor technology enables a vast number of sites
in a paddock to be sampled, whereas conventional
soil sampling often amounts to about ten samples
per paddock, which are then bulked and mixed,
for laboratory analysis of a subsample.
The researchers envisage a new attachment to
cultivation or seeding equipment that will house
soil sampling apparatus and the sensing devices.
“Such a system could be adapted to existing farm
equipment or transported to various sites as a
separate device. It could provide spatial monitoring
of key soil parameters including nutrient levels,
salinity and pH.
“By affixing the system to existing equipment,
farmers or contractors could go about their daily
routines and simultaneously acquire soil nutrient
data without having to dedicate specific resources
and costs to the task of soil monitoring.
“Understanding and optimising the health and
condition of soils is paramount for maintaining
the health of our soil environment as well as
for maintaining viable agricultural crop yields.”
The futureAt the completion of the research project, Dr Cole
and his colleagues hope they have identified suitable
nanomaterials for sensing soil nutrients and designed
a device that is robust in the field.
“Ultimately we are about making real world devices
driven by leading-edge science.
“The next step would be to enhance the nanosensors
with wireless capacity to integrate the data with
computer-controlled, GPS-guided, precision-farming
equipment. In the future, fertiliser could be applied
according to soil maps determined by the sensors.
Ultimately, the soil maps could drive equipment
such as automated robotic fertiliser systems that
provide the required rate of fertiliser to each sub-unit
of a paddock.”
While there is much technical detail to be established,
the researchers believe that nanosensors play an
important role in making fertiliser application to
farmland more efficient, economic and environmentally
responsible, as farmers rise to the challenge of feeding
the world.
Nanosensors may lift
future farm productivity
by providing real-time
soil nutrient information
to increase the efficiency
of fertiliser applications.
The components of the food and fibre
supply chain that may be transformed by
nanomaterials.
Processing
Farm operations
Natural resources
Consumers
Labour and skills
Logisitics
Inputs
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) invests in research and development to support rural industries to be productive, profitable and sustainable. RIRDC’s National Rural Issues program delivers independent, trusted and timely research to inform industry and government leaders who influence the operating environment of Australia’s rural industries. This research informs policy development and implementation, identifies future opportunities and risks, and covers multiple industries and locations.
Published by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation, C/- Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, August 2016
© Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation, 2016. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
ISBN 978-1-74254-883-8
RIRDC publication no. 16/037
Please note This fact sheet has been developed through research of publicly available information and interviews with industry participants and experts. The content is for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Case studies were prepared from interviews conducted in 2016 and reflect the use of the technology at that time.
More information � Nanotechnology regulation (Australian Pesticides
and Veterinary Medicines Authority)
apvma.gov.au/node/15631
� Nanotechnology and Work Health and Safety
(Safe Work Australia)
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/
whs-information/nanotechnology/pages/
nanotechnology
� Nanotechnology in agriculture (Nanowerk)
www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=37064.php
Series detailsThis fact sheet is one of a series on new and emerging
transformative technologies in Australian agriculture.
You may also be interested in reading about:
� Sensors
� 3D printing
� Synthetic biology
EnquiriesE: [email protected]
W: www.rirdc.gov.au