Handbook of Agricultural Biotechnology, Volume 5 (eBook)

This book details recent advances in the applications of nanobiofertilizers as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers in boosting food production.

With the steady rise of the world's population, there is a need to increase the production of safe and nutritious food. The constant loss of arable land, as a result of various anthropogenic activities from human action, has become a threat to global biodiversity and ecosystems. Additionally, the issue of climate change has imposed many obstacles to increasing agricultural productivity, especially from biotic and abiotic stressors and temperature-limited environments, such as in high altitudes or seasonally hot regions. Because of these factors, there is a need to adopt sustainable and modern technologies that can boost and improve the rate of food production.

One of the cheapest means of enhancing sustainable food production is to explore natural and unlimited beneficial microorganisms, particularly those that can increase the level of soil fertility, improve crop production and health, improve tolerance to stress, support nutrient uptake and availability, and boost natural biodiversity. The synergetic effect of nanotechnology and beneficial microorganisms for the effective bio-fabrication of nanobiofertilizers, is a sustainable solution for producing pesticide-free food. This book provides a deep insight into microbial diversity, recent techniques used for the isolation, screening, and characterization of beneficial microorganisms with eco-friendly attributes, used for bioengineering of nanobiofertilizers, as well as the application of proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and bioinformatics. The book also covers commercialization, patents, and the business and socio-economic aspects of nanobiofertilizers, as well as the role of policymakers, stakeholders, and government agencies in the translation of nanobioferilizer research into policy.

Audience

The book is a useful resource for a diverse audience, including industrialists, food industry professionals, agriculturists, agricultural microbiologists, plant pathologists, botanists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, nanotechnologists, microbial biotechnologists, farmers, policymakers, and extension workers.

Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Microbiology at the Edo University Iyamho, in Edo State, Nigeria. Currently, he is the Director of Intellectual Properties and Technology Transfer and Chairman of the Committee on Research Grants at EUI. He has won several scientific awards and grants from renowned academic bodies such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India. He has published more than 600 papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals as well as more than 50 books, 340 book chapters, and many scientific patents.

Chukwuebuka Egbuna, PhD, is a chartered chemist and academic researcher. He has been engaged in several roles at New Divine Favor Pharmaceutical Industry Limited, Nigeria as well as at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Nigeria His primary research interests include biochemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacology, etc. He has published research articles in many international journals and edited over 20 books.

Anton Ficai, PhD, is a professor in the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica, Bucharest, Romania. His research interests include tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, multifunctional materials, etc. He has published over 250 scientific papers, edited two books, received 10 patents, and has 18 patents in the application stage.

Oluwatosin Ademola Ijabadeniyi, PhD, is the founder of Food Safety Africa and is a visiting professor at the Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba, Canada. He has worked in the food industry and academia since 2001 and has conducted research and lectured internationally about food quality and safety. His numerous scientific publications have earned several accolades, including research grants, awards, and fellowships such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities fellowship and the APHL-CDC fellowship.