Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals

Jun 8, 2018 - The first international conference on Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and F...
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Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems ABSTRACT: The First International Conference on Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems was held in Beijing, China, on November 17−18, 2016 to address and exchange the latest knowledge and developments in nanotechnology of agrochemicals toward sustainable agriculture and food systems. World-leading scientists gathered to discuss a wide range of relevant topics. The purposes of this symposium introduction are to provide an introduction to the international conference, summarize in brief the contributions of papers that follow within this special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, provide a synthesis of conference outcomes, and suggest future directions, including an important role of converging science and technologies to advance sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resource systems.

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INTRODUCTION There is no area of human activity more essential to society than a sustainable agricultural, food, and natural resource system. An existing agricultural production system, which has provided an abundant, affordable, and safe food supply, and many industrial and consumer products face the daunting challenge to meet the needs of a growing world population to approximately 9−10 billion people in 2050 with the need to provide about 25−70% more food than now being produced.1 However, it is more than just agricultural productivity because the system must function within the space of finite land availability and a worsening degradation for agriculture, increased climate variability, minimum (zero) negative impacts on the environment, reduced (zero) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increased demand for water, concern for availability and cost of energy, worldwide adoption of biotechnology, increased organic food production, major adoption of information technologies at all phases of the agricultural, food, and natural resource system, and significant advancements in machine and technology innovations. Current technologies, products, and applications of agrochemicals (broadly inclusive of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, antimicrobials, and engineered nanomaterials) offer important benefits while, also, imposing threats to the environment, a safe food supply, and sustainable development. It is imperative to accelerate advancement of science and technologies to provide transformative solutions to effectively address the numerous challenges facing sustainable agriculture and food systems. Pioneering discoveries in nanoscale science and engineering technology have revealed many promises for applications in food, agriculture, and natural resource systems.2,3 Active research programs have been launched to pursue nanotechnology-enabled science and technologies and products for agriculture and food systems throughout the world since early 2000. The First International Conference on Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems was held in Beijing, China, on November 17−18, 2016 to address and exchange the latest knowledge and developments in nanotechnology of agrochemicals toward sustainable agriculture and food systems. World-leading scientists gathered to discuss a wide range of relevant issues: nanotechnology-enabled and nanoscale deliv© 2018 American Chemical Society

ery of agrochemicals, benefits of engineered nanomaterials for improving crop production, nanotechnology-based sensors and detectors for precision agriculture, environmental, health, and safety implications of engineered nanoparticles, economic, legal, and social implications of nanoscience, importance of communication, education, and public perception for adoption of nanotechnology-based agrochemicals, and discussion of the future role of nanoscience and nanotechnology for a sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resource system. The purposes of this symposium introduction are to provide an introduction to the international conference, summarize in brief the contributions of papers that follow within this special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, provide a synthesis of conference outcomes, and suggest future directions, including an important role of converging science and technologies to advance sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resource systems.

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“TOWARD” SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS The conference title includes the words “toward” Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. The authors suggest that nothing is sustainable forever or, at best, is very uncertain as advanced by the National Research Council (NRC).4 Sustainability and sustainable development have become common terms in many segments of society from areas as diverse as finance to agriculture and from business to ecology. In many ways, sustainability is an idealist concept with origins in the 1987 report of the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future,5 chaired by Gro Brundtland, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Many people have suggested definitions building upon this report. Changes in agricultural production systems and usage of natural resources have raised public concerns about the ecological sustainability of agriculture and well-being of rural communities, farm families, farm laborers, and animals. During the past decade, the concept of Special Issue: Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Published: June 8, 2018 6451

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b00964 J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018, 66, 6451−6456

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Symposium Introduction

sustainability of agriculture has been much discussed and was addressed in the NRC report,6 wherein four goals are used to define sustainable agriculture: (1) satisfy human food, feed, and fiber needs and contribute to biofuel needs, (2) enhance environmental quality and the resource base, (3) sustain the economic viability of agriculture, and (4) enhance the quality of life for farmers, farm workers, and society as a whole. However, in the opinion of the authors, sustainability is best viewed not as an end point but rather as a dynamic process moving agriculture, food, and natural resources toward greater sustainability on these goals. Thus, the authors suggest a working description of sustainability as a “process of change in which the direction of investment, the orientation of technology, the allocation of resources, the development and functioning of institutions and advancement of human and community well-being meets present needs and aspirations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and aspirations”.7 While this description may not satisfy everyone, it suggests an imperative for action by which the goals for development of sustainable agriculture and food systems can be measured and used to quantify sustainability and was offered at the conference as a foundational understanding for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

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In broad terms, areas of application for nanoscale science and technology have focused on (i) food quality and safety, (ii) plant production systems, (iii) animal health and monitoring, and (iv) environmental systems. To promote and expand the role of nanoscale science and engineering in food and agriculture, it is necessary to address the inherent safety of nanomaterials that enter the production system, food chain, and environment as well as articulate the benefits of nanotechnology in this sector. In addition to health and safety concerns, the impact on agriculture infrastructure has been a topic of intense interest and debate. Nevertheless, commercial advances and technological impacts are increasing, despite relatively early stage development of nanotechnology in agriculture and food systems. Presentation Areas at the Conference. From more than 50 presentations at the conference, 22 excellent manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and selected for this special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Conference presentations encompassed the categories of (i) nanoscale delivery of agrochemicals, (ii) benefits of engineered nanomaterials in crop production, (iii) nanotechnology-enabled sensors for precision agriculture and food safety, (iv) environmental health and safety implications of engineered nanoparticles, and (v) economic, legal, and social implications of nanotechnology.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CONFERENCE

NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES Nanoscale Delivery of Agrochemicals. Mastronardi et al. examine the detection of rhizosphere biomarkers, namely, root exudates and microbial metabolites, using molecular recognition elements, such as molecularly imprinted polymers, antibodies, and aptamers. They suggest that tracking these compounds in the rhizosphere could provide insight into the status of crops and soils, so that an efficient and effective delivery of proper agrochemicals can be implemented. Inorganic fertilizers have been key to crop production for decades. Nanofertilizers have been shown to enhance crop productivity and reduce nutrient losses. Dimkpa and Bindraban highlight science-based evidence and concerns for motivating the fertilizer industry to produce nanotechnologybased fertilizers as well as address how to effectively and efficiently apply nanofertilizers and assess the economical return. Raliya et al. address the current state and future of nanofertilizers for precision and sustainable agriculture. Using biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles as a cofactor for phosphorus-solubilizing enzymes has enhanced P and Zn uptake in crops and seeds. Zhao et al. suggest that novel formulations using nanotechnology have shown great potential in improving the efficacy and safety of pesticides. They discuss several scientific issues and strategies related to the development of nano-based pesticide formulations, such as (i) construction of water-based dispersion pesticide nanoformulation, (ii) mechanism on leaftargeted deposition and dose transfer of the pesticide nanodelivery system, (iii) mechanism on increased bioavailability of nano-based pesticide formulation, and (iv) impacts of nanoformulation on natural degradation and biosafety of pesticide residues. Prasad et al. have investigated the uptake and translocation of positively charged zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) in hydroponically grown sugar cane plants. Microscopy studies have confirmed the presence of fluorescent ZPNs in the epidermis

Significance of Agrochemicals for a Safe and Adequate Food Supply. Agrochemicals have been a key element to protect crops against diseases, pests, and weeds and to protect and ensure healthful animals for a safe and adequate food supply.8 Consumers expect food to be fresh, of high quality, and free from disease, molds, and insect damage, which is no easy task in the face of as many as 80 000 types of mold, 30 000 types of weeds, 3000 nematodes, 10 000 insects, and many diseases. Agrochemicals have protected the crops from these external factors, ensuring good crop yields and efficient food production, and helped to maintain affordable food prices and promote high-quality food products. Thus, contribution of agrochemicals in providing a safe and adequate food supply should not be underestimated. However, despite crop and animal protection products, a significant loss of food and food waste occurs across food supply chains between production, transport, storage, and consumption. Importance of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Solutions. Nanotechnology, as an enabling technology with application of materials and particles with at least one dimension at a length scale from 1 to approximately 100 nm, has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and food systems.2,3,9−12 Nanoscale science and engineering has an important role in creating a safer and more productive agriculture and food system. The food supply chain can and will be affected by the utilization of nanotechnology at each point in the system along the supply chain from production through consumption. We envision that nanoscale science and nanotechnology will lead to revolutionary advances in “re-engineering” of crops, animals, and microbes at the genetic and cellular level, developing efficient, “smart”, and self-replicating production technologies and inputs, developing tools and systems for identification, tracking, and monitoring, and manufacturing new materials and modifying crops, animals, and food products. 6452

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Young et al. have evaluated the use of multimodal ZnO and nano-copper-loaded silica gel (ZnO−nCuSi) particles as bactericides/fungicides for crop protection in agriculture. ZnO−nCuSi particles have demonstrated strong antimicrobial properties against several model plant bacterial species, particularly, based on 2 years of results, as a novel material for management of citrus phytopathogens. Work at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station by Servin et al. shows that interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with biochar and soil components may substantially influence NP availability and toxicity to biota. Their findings highlight that soil and biochar properties have a significant influence in the accumulation and internalization of CeO2 NPs in earthworms, and thus, such interactions need to be considered when estimating NP fate and effects in the environment. Bonebrake et al. assessed the impact of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles on the plant microbiome through a root-mimetic hollow fiber membrane (HFM) fed with artificial root exudates (AREs). The methodology developed will allow for a better understanding of how microbe−rhizoexudate−NP interactions affect microbial and plant health. Zhao et al. have shown that Cu(OH)2 nanopesticide induces differences in metabolic profiles for maize and cucumbers. The mechanisms and potential risk of copper-based nanopesticides need to be understood, and determining the metabolic response can help to elucidate the applications and implications of using these novel materials. Xue et al. studied the effects of different rates of nanochitin in soil on the grain yield and quality of winter wheat. Results showed that 0.006 g/kg of nanochitin in soil increased yields by 23% for multi-spike wheat and 33% for large spike wheat, with increases of the net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, and transpiration rate of flag leaf at the grain filling stage. Also, grain protein and iron and zinc contents in wheat treated with nanochitin were increased. Sensors and Detectors for Precision Agriculture. Shi and colleagues have used surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), which is able to detect single molecules, as a promising chemical analysis of agricultural products and foods. Progress in developing the SERS effect and advances in nanofabrication suggest that SERS is nearing a point of being used in field applications. The authors review the challenges faced in its development: how to obtain reliable SERS signals, how to to improve sensivity and specificity, and the need to be user-friendly and low-cost. Nanotechnology for Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS). Gellert et al. address the understanding of cellular behavior (e.g., growth and metabolic pathway) and their interactions with the environment, including nanofluidic technology (e.g., chemical and nutrient gradients), in the context of agrochemical management. Specifically, they present an understanding of the cell−environment interaction in the case of harmful algal blooms (HABs) to study HAB growth using a high-throughput nanoscale device and then show how this knowledge is important to create innovative methods for HAB management. Arai and Dahle describe using experimental biogeochemistry and synchrotron-based X-ray techniques to investigate the fate of ceria (CeO2) in agricultural soils as a function of the exchangeable Ce(III) concentration under anoxic and oxic conditions. Both ceria nanoparticles were strongly adsorbed in soils, showing the importance of redox-ligand complexation controlled chemical fate of ceria NPs.

and endoderms of the root system. Given the ability of particle adherence to the roots for extended periods of times, it is proposed that ZNPs may be an effective delivery system for agrochemicals for sugar cane. Avermectin (AVM) is a low-toxic and high-active biopesticide but can be easily degraded by ultraviolet (UV) light. Zhang et al. have synthesized biodegradable castor oil-based polyurethane (CO-PU) carriers to fabricate a nanoemulsion to create a controlled-release behavior, foliar adhesion, and photostable AVM/CO-PU biopesticide delivery system. Liu et al. have demonstrated a porous microcapsule delivery system with the potential for further application as an improved commercial chlorantraniliprole (CAP) formulation. Microcapsule formulations have been widely employed in agriculture to advance pesticide applications. The CAP formulations have advantages of sustained release for long periods, which can be tuned to optimally regulate release. Guan et al. designed and developed a polyurethane emulsifier with various functional groups prepared from isophorine diisocyanate, avermectin, 2,2-dimethylol proprionic acid, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) disulfide. The nanoemulsion encapsulated avermectin with up to 50 wt % payload, low organic solvent content, and high stability, with properties of low surface tension, high affinity to crop leafs, and improved avermectin photostability. The avermectin nanoparticles showed higher insecticidal ability compared to the controls. Liang et al. have developed bioinspired mussel avermectin nanoparticles [P(St−MAA)−Av−Cat] with a strong adhesion to crop foliage by an emulsion−solvent evaporation method and chemical modification. The nanoparticles display a high avermectin content of more than 50 wt % with an excellent storage stability as well as continuous sustained release. The multimodal binding mode of P(St−MAA)−Av−Cat to the foliage surface resulted in stronger adhesion and a longer retention time. Gao et al. showed that lignosulfonate improves photostability and bioactivity of abscisic acid, a light-sensitive plant growth regulator, under UV radiation. The researchers conclude that sodium lignosulfonate was an ecologically friendly and efficient agent to preserve abscisic acid activity, which retains plant growth regulator benefits under UV radiation. Thus, the research may be used in protecting UVsensitive and water-soluble agrichemicals to optimize the application times and dosages of abscisic acid products. Cao et al. demonstrated, in soil column experiments, that positive-charged functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) when synthesized with incorporation of trimethylammonium (TA) groups to form MSN-TA can decrease soil leaching of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4D) sodium salt. This nanoformulation showed good bioactivity on target plants without adverse effects on the growth of nontarget plants. It is also suggested that electrostatic interactions could be applied to charge-carrying agrochemicals to enhance application effectiveness. Engineered Nanomaterials for Crop Production. Anderson et al. describe studies on the effects of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on rhizosphere functions of crop plants. These NPs, depending upon dose, change production of key metabolites in root-associated microbes, which affect plant resistance to pathogens, enhance iron (Fe) availability in the rhizosphere, and affect plant growth. The purpose is to ultimately formulate NPs for optimal and desirable activity in the rhizosphere of crop plants. 6453

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to foster sound and effective pathways of nanotechnology for sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Lahiani et al. have investigated the effects of long-term exposure of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the growth of barley, soybean, and corn. No significant toxic effects were observed on plant development, and results suggest potential for application of MWCNTs in plant agriculture. Economic, Legal, Social, and Risk Implications of Nanotechnology. Walker et al. assess the ecological risk of nanopesticides. The authors from Australian government regulatory agencies, academia, research, and agrochemical industry offer a perspective on relevant considerations pertaining to the problem formulation phase of the ecological risk assessment of nano-enabled pesticides.

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CONVERGENGE TECHNOLOGIES Many questions exist as to what agriculture and food systems will look like moving forward in the 21st century. We suggest agriculture/food and healthy people are inherently linked and that convergence thinking is a key to creating a fundamental framework to address the numerous challenges and questions. Nanoscale science and technology offers one important platform to meet the challenges. However, it is our opinion7 that it must be a part of a broader integration of science and technologies to address complex problems through emerging platforms of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information science, and cognitive science (Figure 1).

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OUTCOMES FROM THE CONFERENCE Outcomes from the First International Conference on Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems are measurable on two fronts: (1) a collegial atmosphere that engaged young and mature scientists and engineers to get to know one another and (2) an opportunity to exchange research knowledge with international colleagues. The former proved to be highly successful, and the latter yielded an excellent venue to address the present and future impact of nanoscale science and technology to advance agricultural and food systems in areas of productivity, environmental sustainability, food safety, and human health.

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Figure 1. Concept of emerging technologies for sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resources.

GOING FORWARD In reflecting about potential outcomes of the conference, we are challenged to think about a vision and opportunities that exist in nanoscale science and nanotechnology applications of agrochemicals in moving toward sustainable agriculture and food systems. Some of these are (i) science assessment of nanomaterial effects on crop disease suppression and protection, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, seed germination, interactions in soils, fertilizer efficiency, and controlled release of agrochemicals, (ii) critical need to quantify economics and benefits of nano-based agrochemicals (nanopesticides and nanofertilizers), including potential risks, (iii) more advanced “smart” delivery systems to meet criteria above, (iv) nano-induced phenotypes of major crops to withstand stress (drought, flooding, salts, etc.), (v) enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, ease of use, cost-effective, and long life of nanosensors as key components of the fielddistributed, intelligent sensor network for monitoring and control as part of the Internet of Agricultural Things (IoAT), (vi) possibility of artificial pollination of crops by nanomaterials delivered in the field by drones or self-powered nanodevices, (vii) use of common field crops (e.g., corn, soybean, and grains) to make sustainable chemicals, (viii) coatings with nano-based chemicals to promote seed, vegetable, and fruit quality during storage, (ix) artificial leafs that can use CO2 and water plus sunlight to produce fuels or produce a nitrogenbased fertilizer within the soil, (x) transition from “lab” to commercialization of nanoscale science and technology for field application of agrochemicals, (xi) enhanced understanding of the fate and effects of engineered nanomaterials in the environment on microbes, plants, water, soils, and humans, and (xii) improved public engagement and communications on beneficial applications and risk asessment

Convergence thinking is defined as “the application of insights and approaches from seemingly distinctly different disciplines” by the NRC.13 Convergence thinking engages approaches to problem solving that transcend disciplines and integrates knowledge from the physical, biological, social, and mathematical sciences and engineering to form comprehensive and integrated thinking at the interfaces of areas. This thinking will focus on creation of new collaborations from academia, industry, government, foundations, national laboratories, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and a diverse set of stakeholders from producers to consumers. A key concept of the convergence process is not only assembling the expertise but also the formation of a web of partnerships from articulation of grand challenges, to formulate optimal approaches and to transform results from research to practice. To put these concepts into practice to address challenges of the very complex agriculture and food system, we must develop a system approach that recognizes convergence thinking to facilitate (1) understanding interfaces among the components and the whole of the system, (2) including participation of multi- and transdisciplinary experts in contributing and using information and knowledge, (3) providing actionable decision support for a wide range of users, including scientists, engineers, policy makers, practitioners, etc., and (4) including feedback and feedforward mechanisms for measurement, continuous improvement, and predictive power. Having introduced the idea of convergence, we suggest that convergence thinking should be adopted and applied to advance science and technologies in meeting issues in usage of agrochemicals in agriculture and food systems. Specifically, we believe that we need to create teams of people that apply convergence thinking to complex problems (Figure 1). These 6454

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Conference on Nanotechnology Applications and Implications of Agrochemicals toward Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems held in Beijing, China, in November 17−18, 2016. Whereas there are no silver bullets to meet the many challenges to be faced in feeding an estimated 9−10 billion people by 2050 and beyond, nanoscale science and engineering does offer the potential to address many of the global challenges facing our agricultural and food system. This symposium introduction to the special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that nanotechnology can, by enhancing effectiveness, efficacy, efficiency, precision, controllability, reduced cost, and ensured safety of agrochemicals, create innovative and creative solutions to move “toward” sustainability of a global agriculture and food system. Through numerous innovations, described in the following papers, enhanced by holistic thinking that is being employed across a broad spectrum of individuals and groups (from farmers to processors to organizations to consumers), there is a lens of sustainability being applied to ensure and enhance environmental, economic, and societal benefits.

are rapidly advancing areas of emerging science and technology that have unique and far-reaching implications for the future global food system7 and specifically agrochemicals as part of the broader system. Agriculture and food systems have increasingly embraced information science at all levels from large farms in developed countries to the poorest farms in developing countries through a comprehensive integration of sensors, satellites, and cell phones. Farmers are gaining intelligence and experience to operate within the unprecedented challenges of extreme climate, water limitations, energy availability, price volatility, resource availability, natural disasters, and social conditions. Although poor farmers in Asia and Africa are not engaged at the same level of information science as in the U.S., they are increasingly using the cell phone to obtain critical information on expenses of agricultural inputs and prices, connect to markets, and participate in newly developing mobile network operators worldwide through digital financing. In the U.S., from the advances in precision agriculture comes real-time data about many variables and information can be stored on electronic tablets, which send data, by wireless modems, to computer servers (cloud computing) for later analysis. Thus, “big data” can be used to help agriculture meet the numerous challenges. Not only have many farmers invested in this new technology, but also numerous businesses from large to small software startups are joining an increasingly crowded field to help farmers use data sets in innovative ways for making intelligent decisions. Two technical innovations that are gaining rapid and widespread adoption in agriculture, food, and natural resources are robotics and drones. While drones have been used for years in military missions and intelligence gathering, the use of drones in agriculture is on the verge of exploding. Some estimates suggest it is likely that there will be 10 times more applications in agriculture than in other civilian areas and that 80% of the economic impacts will be in agriculture. Without question, the element least addressed across the concept of converging technologies in agriculture and food systems is cognitive sciences. Cognitive science is defined here “as the interdisciplinary scientific study of the mind and its processes”. Critical to the vision for the agriculture, food, and natural resource system is public acceptance of the converging technologies if they are to be adopted for the benefit of human wellness, happiness, and development. However, by and large, the technical transformations created by nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information science have not included empowerment of people and groups by expansion of human knowledge and cognition. Rather, ethical and social issues have been largely ignored, leading to a uninformed public at best and an anti-technology mindset at worst. A true convergence requires that the agriculture, food, and natural resource system begin to include cognitive science as an integral element. People outside these technologies often have a quite different belief and value system. While both groups share a common concern about effects of these technologies on the environment, health, biodiversity, and food safety and quality, they often diverge in their attitudes and concerns.

Norman R. Scott* Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701, United States

Hongda Chen National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington, D.C. 20250-2220, United States

Haixin Cui

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Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, People’s Republic of China

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Corresponding Author

*E-mail: [email protected]. ORCID

Norman R. Scott: 0000-0001-8775-9949 Haixin Cui: 0000-0002-1274-1987 Notes

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors thank the many individuals who contributed to the conference, such as the members of the International Advisory Committee, the Organizing Committee, the speakers and poster presenters, local hosts, and student volunteers. The support provided by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the National Insititute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is gratefully acknowledged.

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REFERENCES

(1) Hunter, M.; Smith, R.; Schipanski, M.; Atwood, L.; Mortensen, D. Agriculture in 2050: Recalibrating targets for sustainable intensification. BioScience 2017, 67, 386−391. (2) Scott, N.; Chen, H. Nanoscale science and engineering for agricultural and food systems, part I. Ind. Biotechnol. 2012, 8, 340− 343. (3) Scott, N.; Chen, H. Overview, nanoscale science and engineering for agricultural and food systems, part 2. Ind. Biotechnol. 2013, 9, 17− 18.

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CONCLUDING REMARKS Nanotechnology, as an enabling technology, is increasingly important to many elements of society, with significant benefits. This trend was clear at the First International 6455

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(4) National Research Council (NRC). Our Common Journey: A Transition toward Sustainability, Board on Sustainable Development; The National Academies Press: Washington, D.C.. 1999; pp 384, DOI: 10.17226/9690. (5) World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Our Common Future; Oxford University Press: Oxford, U.K., 1987; pp 383, http://www.un-documents.net/our-commonfuture.pdf. (6) National Research Council (NRC). Toward Sustainable Agricultural Systems in the 21st Century; The National Academies Press: Washington, D.C., 2010; pp 598, DOI: 10.17226/12832. (7) Scott, N.; Chen, H.; Schoen, R. Sustainable global food supply. In Handbook of Science and Technology Convergence; Bainbridge, W. S., Roco, M. C., Eds.; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 2016; pp 651−668, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-070520_43. (8) Globachem. Challenges for Agriculture and Horticulture; Globachem: Sint-Truiden, Belgium, 2014; https://www.globachem. com/en/about-globachem/value-of-agrochemicals. (9) Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Agriculture and Food Systems; Scott, N., Chen, H., Eds.; Cornell University: Ithaca, NY, 2003; pp 15, http://www.nseafs.cornell.edu/roadmap.draft.pdf. (10) Chen, H.; Yada, R. Editorial: International conference on food and agriculture applications of nanotechnologies, NanoAgri 2010, São Pedro, SP, Brazil. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 2011, 22, 583−584. (11) Chen, H.; Seiber, J. N.; Hotze, M. ACS Select on Nanotechnology in food and agriculture: A perspective on implications and applications. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2014, 62, 1209− 1212. (12) Kah, M. Nanopesticides and nanofertilizers: Emerging contaminants or opportunities for risk mitigation? Front. Chem. 2015, 3, 64. (13) National Research Council (NRC). Convergence: Facilitating Transdisciplinary Integration of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Beyond; The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2014; pp 152, DOI: 10.17226/18722.

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