Zinc-Based Nanostructures for Environmental and Agricultural Applications shows how zinc nanostructures are being used in agriculture, food and the environment. The book has been divided into two parts: Part I deals with the synthesis and characterization of zinc-based nanostructures such as biogenic, plant, microbial, and actinobacteria mediated synthesis of zinc nanoparticles, Part II is focused on agri-food applications such as antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, plant disease management, controlling post-harvest diseases, pesticide sensing and degradations, plant promotions, ZnO nanostructure for food packaging application, safe animal food and feed supplement, elimination of mycotoxins, and veterinary applications. Part III reviews technological developments in environmental applications such as risks and benefits for aquatic organisms and the marine environment, antiseptic activity and toxicity mechanisms, wastewater treatment, and zinc oxide-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic degradation of environmental and agricultural pollutants.

The book discusses various aspects, including the application of zinc-based nanostructures to enhance plant health and growth, the effect on soil microbial activity, antimicrobial mechanism, phytotoxicity and accumulation in plants, the possible impact of zinc-based nanostructures in the agricultural sector as nanofertilizer, enhancing  crop productivity, and other possible antimicrobial mechanisms of ZnO nanomaterials.

• Explores the impact of a large variety of zinc-based nanostructures on agri-food and environment sectors
• Outlines how the properties of zinc-based nanostructures mean they are particularly efficient in environmental and agricultural application areas
• Assesses the major challenges of synthesizing and processing zinc-based nanostructured materials

1 Zinc-based nanostructures for sustainable applications in agroecology: A note from the editor
PART I: Synthesis
2 Biogenic synthesis of Ag-ZnO nanocomposites: Characterization, mechanisms, and applications 3 Plant-mediated biosynthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles 4 Microbe-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles 5 Biogenic synthesis of zinc nanostructures: Characterization and mechanisms 6 Green synthesized Zn-based catalysts
PART II: Agricultural applications
7 Applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent in the food packaging industry 8 Zinc nanomaterials: Synthesis, antifungal activity, and mechanisms 9 Zinc oxide nanomaterials as antimicrobial agents for food applications 10 Zinc oxide nanostructures as effective pesticide controllers: Sensing and degradation of pesticides 11 Photocatalytic degradation kinetics of pesticide residues in environmental soils using zinc ferrite nanoparticles 12 Zinc nanomaterial applications in agroecosystems 13 Zinc nanomaterials: A safe tool for postharvest disease management 14 Effects of zinc-oxide nanoparticles on soil microbial community and their functionality 15 Zinc nanostructure applications in agriculture 16 Role of zinc oxide nanoparticles in mediating abiotic stress responses in plant 17 Zinc oxide nanoparticles: Physiological and molecular responses in plants 18 ZnO nanostructures for food packaging applications 19 Zinc nanomaterials: A safe animal feed supplement 20 Zinc nanostructures: Detection and elimination of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins
PART III: Environmental applications
21 Impact of zinc nanoparticles on aquatic ecosystems: Risks and benefits 22 Zinc nanostructures: Toxicity, safety, and regulation in agroecosystems 23 Zinc nanoparticles in marine environments: An overview 24 ZnO-based nanoparticles for wastewater treatment: A review 25 Zinc nanomaterials: Toxicological effects and veterinary applications 26 Zinc oxide-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic degradation of environmental and agricultural pollutants 27 Ecotoxicological effects of zinc-oxide nanoparticles on test organisms from soil micro- and mesofauna 28 Zinc-based nanomaterials: Biosafety, risk management, and regulatory aspects