Nano Today (2015) 10, 124127Available online at www.sciencedirect.comScienceDirectj our nal homepage: www. el sevi er . com/ l ocat e/ nanot odayNEWS AND OPINIONSAgricultural Nanotechnologies: What arethe current possibilities?Claudia Parisi, Mauro Vigani, Emilio Rodrguez-CerezoEuropean Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS),Edicio Expo, C/Inca Garcilaso 3, 41092 Seville, SpainReceived 13 August 2014; received in revised form 23 September 2014; accepted 25 September 2014Available online 25 October 2014KEYWORDSNanotechnology;Agriculture;Innovation;Bioeconomy;Regulation;Consumer perceptionAbstract Nanotechnology is recognised by the European Commission as one of its six KeyEnabling Technologies that contribute to sustainable competitiveness and growth in severalindustrial sectors. The current challenges of sustainability, food security and climate changeare engaging researchers in exploring the eld of nanotechnology as new source of key improve-ments for the agricultural sector. However, concrete contributions are still uncertain. Despitethe numerous potential advantages of nanotechnology and the growing trends in publicationsand patents, agricultural applications have not yet made it to the market. Several factors couldexplain the scarcity of commercial applications. On the one hand, industry experts stress thatagricultural nanotechnology does not demonstrate a sufcient economic return to counterbal-ance the high initial production investments. On the other hand, new nanotech regulation in theEU might create regulatory uncertainty for products already on the market and affect publicperception. However, recent studies demonstrate that public opinion is not negative towardsnanotechnology and that the introduction on the market of nanotech products with clear bene-ts will likely drive consumer acceptance of more sensitive applications. The rapid progress ofnanotechnology in other key industries may over time be transferred to agricultural applicationsas well, and facilitate their development.2014TheAuthors.PublishedbyElsevierLtd.ThisisanopenaccessarticleundertheCCBY-NC-SA license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).Nanotechnology is recognised by the European Commis-sionas oneof its sixKeyEnablingTechnologies thatTheviewsexpressedarepurelythoseoftheauthorsandmaynot in any circumstances be regarded as stating an ofcial positionof the European Commission.Corresponding author. Tel.: +34 954 488 334;fax: +34 954 488 437.E-mail address: Claudia.parisi@ec.europa.eu (C. Parisi).contribute to sustainable competitiveness and growth in sev-eraleldsofindustrialapplication[1].Thenewchemicaland/orphysicalpropertiesofnano-scaleparticlesprovideuseful functions [2] that are being rapidly exploited inmedicine, biotechnology, electronics, material science andenergy sectors, among others.Thesepromising developments alsoconcerntheagri-cultural sector,inwhichcontinuousinnovationisstronglyneeded because of increasing global food security and cli-mate change challenges. In the past, agriculture benetedhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2014.09.0091748-0132/ 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-SA license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).Agricultural nanotechnologies 125frommanydifferent technological innovations, includinghybrid varieties, synthetic chemicals and biotechnology,andresearchersarenowseekinginnanotechnologyanewsourceof agricultural improvements. However, whilethefood industry can be seen to be clearly beneting from nano-technology(inparticularforfoodprocessing,distribution,packaging and functional food), its real contribution to theagricultural sector is still uncertain.AccordingtoleadingR&Danalyses,1researchonagri-culturalnanotechnologyapplicationshasbeenongoingforlargelyadecadebynow, searchingfor solutions tosev-eral agricultural and environmental challenges, such assustainability,improvedvarietiesandincreasedproductiv-ity.Severalauthorshaveshownthegrowingtrendofbothscientic publications and patents in agricultural nano-technology, especiallyfor diseasemanagement andcropprotection [35]. Nanomaterials in agriculture aims in par-ticular to reduce the amount of sprayed chemical productsby smart delivery of activeingredients, minimisenutri-ent losses infertilisation[4] andincreaseyields throughoptimisedwaterandnutrientmanagement.Nanotechnol-ogy derived devices are also being explored in the eld ofplant breeding and genetic transformation [6]. Additionally,agriculturecouldbeasourceofbio-nanocompositeswithenhancedphysicalmechanical propertiesbasedontradi-tionally harvested materials, like wheat straw and soy hulls,for bio-industrial purposes [7]. Table 1 provides an overviewofthemostrelevantagricultural nanotechnologyapplica-tions.Despite these potential advantages, nanotechnologyapplications intheagricultural sector arestill compara-blymarginal andhavenotyetmadeittothemarkettoanylargeextentincomparisonwithotherindustrial sec-tors. The wave of research discoveries seems to be mainlyclaimed by the academic sector or small enterprises, whilebig industries reveal a large patent ownership. The trends ofpatent applications (mainly from agro-chemical companies)are continuously growing, but no new nano-based productsfortheagricultural sectorhavereachedthemarket.Thissuggeststhatapplicantsareactivelypatentingandkeep-ingbroadpatentclaimsinordertoassurefuturefreedomto operate and to guarantee future exploitation in case ofpromising commercial developments.Large companies are investigating the potential that nan-otech solutions offer in the agricultural eld. However,according to industry experts, agricultural nanotechnologies1TheInstitutefor ProspectiveTechnological Studies (IPTS) ofthe Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC)organised a Workshop in November 2013 aiming to reveal theactual contributionofnanotechnologytotheagricultural sector.Theworkshopfocusedonreviewingthestate-of-the-art of R&Dof agricultural nanotechnology, discussingcurrent andpotentialmarkets of nano-products with applications in crop productionand reviewing the regulations concerned by agricultural nanotech-nologiesapplications.Leadingscientists,experts,regulatorsandrepresentatives of the farming and industrial sectors activelyparticipatedat theworkshop, topresent researchandindustryresults and discuss experiences. Full proceedings of the work-shop have been released electronically: JRC report, EUR 26625 EN2014. http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/111111111/31846.so far do not demonstrate a sufciently high economic inter-est. Nanotech products require high initial investments thatcan be counterbalanced only by large-scale eld uses, whichisnotcurrentlythecase.Amongthereasonsforthedif-culties of agricultural nanotechnology developments at eldlevel, industrial organisations cite regulatory issues and pub-lic opinion.Oneofthemostimportantaspectsofregulatingnano-materials is the achievement of a denition agreed amongtheinvolvedpartiesand,possibly,harmonizedatinterna-tional level. The denition of nano-materials seems not tobe straightforward and is not just a matter of size. The nano-scalecanbeappliedtooneormoredimensionsandtheform of the particles can be in aggregate, agglomerates ornanostructuredmaterials.Moreover,sincenanotechnologyis applied in different industrial sectors, different regulatorybodies and regulations are involved in its safety assessment.Many countries are now setting denitions and regulatoryframeworks for nanotechnology [8]. In the EU, the main reg-ulation covering nanotechnology applications is the REACH(EURegulationonRegistration, Evaluation, AuthorisationandRestrictionofChemicals)[9],andthereisanongoingdiscussiononthedenition,whichcoversnanoparticlesinaggregates and agglomerates in the size range of 1100 nm[10].ThecurrentECdenitiondoesnotmakethedistinc-tion between products that are intentionally manufacturedtocontainnano-scalematerialsfromthosewhichcontainsuch particles involuntarily and are already on the market.The proposed denition will be reviewed in the light of newexperience and the latest scientic and technological devel-opments.Industryorganisationshavepointedtotheeffectsthatregulation, especially on labelling, can have on public opin-ionandthenegativeconnotationsitcancreatearoundanew technology. There is concern that consumers may rejectproducts labelled as nano-products and this rejection mighthavealsoaretroactiveeffect, concerningproducts (i.e.nano-scale formulants such as clay, silica) already present onthe market that involuntarily contain nano-sized materialsand that might fall under the nano-denition.However, some studies on consumer preferences demon-stratethatoverall publicopinionisnotnegativetowardsnanotechnology[11]andthatitisparticularlyinuencedby perceivedbenets andusefulness of thetechnology.The results of the studies suggest that nanotech prod-ucts with clear benets and acceptable/low risks fortheconsumers, likemedical andenvironmental applica-tions, if introduced rst into the market could drivetheacceptanceofotherapplicationsintroducedlateron,e.g.pesticidessolutions,wheresocietal concernsalreadyexist.In conclusion, agro-nanotech innovative products areexperiencing difculties inreaching themarket, makingagriculture still a marginal sector for nanotechnology. Thisis due in particular to the high production costs of nanotechproducts,whicharerequiredinhighvolumesintheagri-cultural sector, unclear technical benets andlegislativeuncertainties,aswellaspublicopinion.Nevertheless,theR&D landscape is very promising and the possibilities offeredbynanotechnologyinseveral agricultural applicationsarebeing actively explored. Additionally, nanotechnology is pro-gressing at rapid pace in other elds. The knowledge gained126 C. Parisi et al.Table 1 Relevant applications in agricultural nanotechnology and examples of succesfull applications at small scale or R&Dstage.Denition Example ReferenceCrop productionPlantprotectionproductsNanocapsules, nanoparticles,nanoemulsions and viral capsids assmart delivery systems of activeingredients for disease and pestcontrol in plantsNeem oil (Azadirachta indica)nanoemulsion as larvicidal agent (VITUniversity, IN)C.H. Anjali, Y.Sharma, A.Mukherjee, N.Chandrasekaran,Pest Manage. Sci.68 (2012) 158163Fertilizers Nanocapsules, nanoparticles and viralcapsids for the enhancement ofnutrients absorption by plants andthe delivery of nutrients to specicsitesMacronutrient Fertilizers Coated withZinc Oxide Nanoparticles (Universityof Adelaide, AUCSIRO Land and Water, AUKansas State University, US)N. Milani, et al.,J. Agric. FoodChem. 60 (2012)39913998Soil improvementWater/liquidretentionNanomaterials, e.g. zeolites andnano-clays, for water or liquidagrochemicals retention in the soilfor their slow release to the plantsSoil-enhancer product, based on anano-clay component, for waterretention and release(Geohumus-Frankfurt, DE)http://www.geohumus.com/us/products.htmlWater puricationWaterpuricationandpollutantremediationNanomaterials, e.g. nano-clays,ltering and binding to a variety oftoxic substances, includingpesticides, to be removed from theenvironmentFilters coated with TiO2nanoparticles for the photocatalyticdegradation of agrochemicals incontaminated waters (University ofUlster, UK)T.A. McMurray,P.S.M. Dunlop,J.A. Byrne, J.Photochem.Photobiol.A-Chem. 182(2006) 4351DiagnosticNanosensorsanddiagnosticdevicesNanomaterials and nanostructures(e.g. electrochemically active carbonnanotubes, nanobers and fullerenes)that are highly sensitive bio-chemicalsensors to closely monitorenvironmental conditions, planthealth and growthPesticide detection with aliposome-based nano-biosensor(University of Crete, GR)V. Vamvakaki, N.A.Chaniotakis,Biosens.Bioelectronics 22(2007) 28482853.Plant breedingPlantgeneticmodicationNanoparticles carrying DNA or RNA tobe delivered to plant cells for theirgenetic transformation or to triggerdefence responses, activated bypathogens.Mesoporus silica nanoparticlestransporting DNA to transform plantcells (Iowa State university, US)[6]Nanomaterials from plantNanoparticlesfrom plantsProduction of nanomaterials throughthe use of engineered plants ormicrobes and through the processingof waste agricultural productsNanobres from wheat straw and soyhulls for bio-nanocompositeproduction (Canadian Universitiesand Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,Food and Rural Affairs, CA)[7]inotheremergingsectors,suchasenergyandpackaging,mayovertimebetransferred,ormayprovidespill-overs,to agricultural applications as well. For instance, improvedfuel additives and lubricants could also improve the perfor-manceandthecarbonfootprintofagriculturalmachineryand improved packaging measures could benet farmers byreducing the degradation of products before consumption.Meanwhileprogressinenvironmentalmonitoringanddrugdelivery techniques [12] could positively affect the agricul-tural and livestock sector indirectly.Agricultural nanotechnologies 127References[1]EC, CommunicationfromtheCommissionto theEuropeanParliament, theCouncil, theEuropeanEconomicandSocialCommittee and the Committee of the Regions. A Euro-pean strategy for Key Enabling Technologies - A bridgeto growth and jobs. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM: 2012:0341:FIN:EN:PDF (2012).[2]ObservatoryNANOFP7, European nanotechnology landscapereport, 2011. http://www.scor.com/en/sgrc/pac/motor/item/1327-european-nanotechnology-landscape-report.html[3]R.K.Sastry,H.B.Rashmi,N.H.Rao,J.Intellect.Prop.Rights15 (2010) 197205.[4]A. Gogos, K. 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Res. 15 (2013).Claudia Parisi is a research fellowat theJoint Research Centre (JRC) of the EuropeanCommission, at the Institute for Prospec-tive Technological Studies (IPTS) locatedinSeville-Spain. Sheis Biotechnologist andobtained her Ph.D. on New Plant Breed-ing Techniques at the University of Crdoba,Spain. Before joining the JRC, she followed internship programmesinFAO(FoodandAgricultureOrganisation), inRome, andEFSA(European Food Safety Authority), in Parma, Italy. She is currentlydealingwithresearchprojects onemergingtechniques inagri-culture,includingnanotechnology,andonthemonitoringofthebio-based industry.Mauro Vigani is a research fellowat theJoint Research Centre (JRC) of the EuropeanCommission, at the Institute for Prospec-tive Technological Studies (IPTS) locatedin Seville-Spain. He got his Ph.D. in agri-cultural economics fromthe University ofMilan, where he spent 2 years as post-doctorateattheDepartmentofEconomics,Management andQuantitativeMethods. Hehas publications on international journalson topics such as the political econ-omy of GMOs standards, GMOs patenting and agriculturallabour market. He participated in European research frame-work projects and in several international conferences. Hiscurrentresearchactivityconcernsthesocio-economicimpactofagricultural innovations (GMcrops, nanotechnology, microalgae-basedfoodandfeed), farmproductivity andrisk managementpractices.Emilio Rodrguez-Cerezo obtained a degreein Agronomy (1983) and a Ph.D. in PlantPathology (1988) fromUniversidad PolitcnicadeMadrid(Spain).Hestartedhiscareerasresearcher on biotech-based plant resistancetoviral diseases andmolecular epidemiol-ogyof diseaseoutbreaks incropplants. In1997, he became active in the interfacebetweenbiotechnologyandregulationafterbeingelectedmemberoftherstEuropeanUnionsScienticCommitteeforPlants(theembryo of what later became EFSA) in charge of risk assess-ment of GMOs. In 2001 he joined the European Commissions (EC)Joint Research Centre (JRC), the in-house scientic advisory bodyof theEC, at theInstitutefor ProspectiveTechnological Stud-ies(IPTS)locatedinSeville-Spain.Sincethenhehasledagroupof researchers providingpolicysupport topolicymakers intheelds of new biotechnologies in agriculture, coexistence betweenGMandnon-GMagricultural production,andthesocial andeco-nomic impacts of biotech crops and the characterisation of the EUbioeconomy.