Silver Nanomaterial and Composite-Based Nanosensors for the Agriculture Sector
摘要
India has been primarily an agricultural economy that employs more than 60% of the labour force with an effectual approximate output of 18%, which leads to excessive traditional cultivation. Further, various unsustainable farming practices lead to environmental deterioration, soil contamination, and declining water quality. Technology is making solid and rapid strides, such as nanosensors that have been developed to address these issues and limitations of contemporary agriculture. Nanosensors are utilized to identify dynamic changes based on behavioral of nanosized molecules to notify of alterations in the environment. Silver nanomaterials and composite-based nanosensors have paved a paradigm shift in agricultural precision and sustainable management of crops. Due to their unique physiochemical properties, silver nanomaterials have a high affinity towards sensing that boosts sensor selectivity and performance. The created sensors provide on-the-spot monitoring of soil quality, nutrient levels, crop health, and environmental conditions, with the data instantly accessible for decision-making. This chapter provides insights on silver-based nanomaterials and composite nanosensors in terms of their synthesis, types, designs, sensing mechanisms, and applications in agriculture.