Researchers Examine the Impact of Nanotechnology to Crop Growth and Development

Mar 04, 2024

Researchers from South Africa reviewed the usage of nanotechnology and proteomic tools in boosting crop growth and development. Their role in the genetic engineering of crops to achieve agricultural sustainability was also examined.

Nanoparticles have distinct physical and chemical properties that allow them to have many applications in different fields. However, it has limited usage in agriculture due to safety concerns. Because of this, the potential of nanoparticles is not heavily explored.

Researchers from different institutions in South Africa reviewed the effects of using nanoparticles and proteomic tools in agriculture. Their findings showed that nanoparticles significantly affect the plants' growth and development, which boosts their tolerance to drought and salinity stress.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.