G.E.J. Poinern, S. Brundavanam, A.F.M. Halim, W. Chamsa-ard, D. Fawcett
Climate change poses significant threats to global agriculture through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil degradation and increased biotic and abiotic stresses. This chapter explores the potential use of nanotechnology as a transformative tool to create climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural systems. It begins with an overview of the historical development of nanotechnology and its evolution into modern applications. Key innovations such as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides and nanosensors are discussed, highlighting their role in improving nutrient use efficiency, reducing chemical inputs and enabling precision farming. Furthermore, the chapter examines nanotechnology’s role in enhancing plant tolerance to environmental stressors, improving soil health, managing water efficiently and supporting carbon sequestration. Furthermore, the convergence of nanotechnology with advanced biotechnological approaches and gene-editing platforms such as CRISPR-Cas9 presents promising avenues for the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of addressing several challenges with nanotechnologies, including environmental safety, public acceptance, regulatory frameworks and cost-effective scalability. Through this comprehensive analysis, the chapter highlights the transformative potential of frontier nanotechnologies in advancing agriculture toward greater resilience, efficiency and climate adaptability.