Harnessing carbon nanotubes for enhanced plant growth and sustainable agriculture: Opportunities and challenges

Sustainable agriculture is a pivotal strategy for addressing global food security challenges while minimizing environmental impacts. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a promising nanotechnological intervention in sustainable agricultural practices due to their unique physicochemical properties, including nanoscale dimensions, high surface area, remarkable mechanical strength, and superior thermal conductivity. Researchers are actively exploring the incorporation of CNTs into fertilizers, pesticides, and plant growth regulators to enhance nutrient uptake, improve plant resilience to abiotic stress, and reduce the ecological footprint of agricultural activities. By facilitating controlled nutrient release, CNTs ensure the sustained and efficient delivery of essential minerals and nutrients to crops. Moreover, their integration has demonstrated potential in augmenting water retention, enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, and improving plant tolerance to stressors such as salinity, drought, and heavy metal toxicity. Despite these advantages, the practical deployment of CNTs in agriculture faces notable challenges, including toxicity, environmental persistence, and potential risks to human health and ecosystems. Further, high production costs and scalability limitations also present significant barriers to their widespread adoption. To harness the full potential of CNTs in agriculture, it is crucial to develop cost-effective synthesis methods and conduct comprehensive safety evaluations. As an innovative tool for sustainable agriculture, CNTs offer substantial promise in mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing global food security. Continued research is essential to refine their applications, address associated risks, and ensure long-term viability in agricultural systems.