Among a wide range of possible applications of nanotechnology in agriculture, there has been a particular interest in developing novel nanoagrochemicals. While some concerns have been expressed regarding altered risk profile of the new products, many foresee a great potential to support the necessary increase in global food production in a sustainable way. A critical evaluation of nanoagrochemicals against conventional analogues is essential to assess the associated benefits and risks. In this assessment, recent literature was critically analysed to determine the extent to which nanoagrochemicals differ from conventional products. Our analysis was based on 78 published papers and shows that median gain in efficacy relative to conventional products is about 20–30%. Environmental fate of agrochemicals can be altered by nanoformulations, but changes may not necessarily translate in a reduction of the environmental impact. Many studies lacked nano-specific quality assurance and adequate controls. Currently, there is no comprehensive study in the literature that evaluates efficacy and environmental impact of nanoagrochemicals under field conditions. This is a crucial knowledge gap and more work will thus be necessary for a sound evaluation of the benefits and new risks that nanoagrochemicals represent relative to existing products.

在纳米技术在农业中的广泛应用中，人们对开发新型纳米农用化学品特别感兴趣。虽然有人对新产品的风险状况改变表示担忧，但许多人预见到以可持续的方式支持全球粮食生产的必要增长的巨大潜力。对纳米农用化学品与传统类似物的批判性评估对于评估相关的益处和风险至关重要。在这次评估中，对最近的文献进行了批判性分析，以确定纳米农用化学品与传统产品的不同程度。我们的分析基于 78 篇已发表的论文，结果表明，相对于传统产品，功效的中位数增益约为 20-30%。纳米制剂可以改变农用化学品的环境归宿，但变化不一定会减少对环境的影响。许多研究缺乏纳米特定的质量保证和适当的控制。目前，文献中没有评估纳米农用化学品在田间条件下的功效和环境影响的综合研究。这是一个关键的知识差距，因此需要做更多的工作来对纳米农用化学品相对于现有产品的益处和新风险进行合理评估。