Size and surface modifications of a nanoparticle (NP) make it easy to cross
several physiological barriers and mix with the transport of numerous bio-actives not
only to selectively interact with different molecular species but also adopt characteristic
pathways depending upon their physicochemical properties. Successful realizations of
these possibilities associated with the development of biomedicines have already been
realized in several cases published recently. Drawing a parallel from these observations
the next question is whether similar possibilities can be availed in the case of
agricultural crop management, especially with an eye on improving crop health to meet
the global need for food security without any adverse effect on the natural ecological
balance. The interaction space of nanoparticulate species, prepared separately, is more
heterogeneously complex due to additional contributions from the ecosystem.
For appreciating the numerous advantageous applications of the NPs in crop health
management, first, it is necessary to know about the constituents of the soil including
bio-organisms that facilitate supplying adequate micronutrients to the plants through
their roots along with the coexistence of various families of fungi and pathogenic
species. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to examine the interactions of
numerous types of metal-NPs on the populations of fungi and bacteria at molecular
levels for using the relevant interactions to improve plant health, growth, and yield with
adequate protections from harmful species also present there. The experimental assays
made ex-situ and in-situ in simulated models as well as actual cases of different crops
are included in the descriptions to provide a more integrated understanding of the
interactions involved. The contributions from very recent reviews already published are
acknowledged duly for providing input for the discussions regarding the prospects.
Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Bacteria, Interaction, Nanoparticles, Plants.
