Nano Silica Fertilizer

Nanosilica, a unique type of nanomaterial derived from silicon, has a distinctive mesoporous nature, making it a suitable nanocarrier for different molecules and substances that improve agriculture, such as biofertilizers and biopesticides. Due to its porous properties, it can influence metabolic activities by increasing plant resistance, seedling growth, root development, and photosynthetic rate, thus helping farmers improve crop efficiency through more sustainable practices. Also, it can be used to carry soil improving agents and nanosensors for soil analysis.

It can be used as a nanopesticide and as an alternative to reduce the effect of salinity in the soil to improve yields, mainly due to its small size and higher surface area-to-weight ratio. Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs), such as nanosilica, were observed to display different physical and chemical properties and to increase the durability of commercial pesticides and their efficiency.

Results indicate that silicon dioxide nanofertilizers may improve defense mechanisms of plants against salt stress toxicity by augmenting the transpiration rate, water use efficiency, total chlorophyll, proline, and carbonic anhydrase activity in the leaves of plants.