From Nanomedicine to Nanofarming: Precision Delivery for Climate-Resilient Crops

From Nanomedicine to Nanofarming: Precision Delivery for Climate-Resilient Crops

Gregory V. Lowry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

glowry@cmu.edu

Key Words: Plant Nanobiotechnology, sustainable agriculture, precision agriculture, plant digital twin.

Abstract

Current agricultural practices are resource intensive, notoriously inefficient, and unsustainable. Moreover, crop productivity is threatened by climate change. Approaches adapted from precision nanomedicine can precisely deliver active agents, nutrients, and genetic materials into crop plants to improve agrochemical utilization efficiency and increase their resilience to climate change. However, achieving this goal requires a greater understanding of how nanocarriers interact with plant surfaces and biomolecules, viable targeting approaches in plants, and more sustainable sourcing of nanocarrier materials. This understanding can be used to improve nanocarrier design for efficiency, efficacy, and sustainability. This talk will discuss progress made towards these goals, providing illustrative examples of targeted delivery and approaches to mitigate climate induced plant stress. The key scientific and technical barriers that must be addressed to realize the benefits of plant nanobiotechnology will be presented and discussed.