Nanotechnology will take the genetic engineering of agriculture to the next level down – atomic engineering. Atomic engineering could enable the DNA of seeds to be rearranged in order to obtain different plant properties including colour, growth season, yield etc. For monitoring pathogens on crops and livestock as well as measuring crop productivity tiny sensors made of nanoparticles offer the possibility. Nano-sensors will enable plant growth, pH levels, the presence of nutrients, moisture, pests or disease to be monitored from far away, significantly reducing the need for on-farm labour inputs.
In addition, nanoparticles could increase the efficiency of fertilisers. Highly potent atomically engineered fertilisers and pesticides will be used to maintain plant growth. Research work has already begun on the next generation of fertiliser products using advanced techniques such as nanotechnology and molecular biology, especially in conjunction with plant genetics research. 'Smart' fertiliser products that will release nutrients only at the specific time and in the correct amount is being developed. However, it is also reported that they could also increase the ability of potentially toxic substances, such as fertilisers, to penetrate into deep layers of the soil and travel over greater distances.
In addition, researchers in both developed and developing countries are developing crops that are able to grow under 'hostile' conditions, such as fields where the soil contains high levels of salt (sometimes due to climate change and rising sea levels) or low levels of water. This is being done by manipulating the crops' genetic material through working on a nanotechnology scale with biological molecules.