Nanoagricultural revolution under global warming: optimizing growth and nutrient use efficiency

Global food security faces growing threats from climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation, which reduce crop yield and quality. Innovative solutions are needed beyond conventional farming. This review examines nanotechnology’s potential to transform agriculture under climate stress, focusing on metallic, carbon-based, biogenic, and polymeric nanomaterials. These materials act as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors, and soil amendments. They enhance seed germination, photosynthetic efficiency, hormone regulation, gene expression, and antioxidant defenses. They also mitigate drought and salinity by improving water uptake, ion balance, osmolyte accumulation, and stress-gene regulation. Nanofertilizers enable controlled nutrient release, reducing emissions and fertilizer waste, while nanopesticides provide targeted pest control. Nanosensors support precision agriculture through real-time monitoring. Overall, nanotechnology improves soil quality, carbon sequestration, and crop resilience. However, safe application requires optimizing concentrations and methods to avoid toxicity. Future work should address molecular mechanisms, ecological impacts, cost-effective production, and regulatory frameworks. When integrated sustainably, nanotechnology offers a transformative path toward global food security under climate uncertainty.