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Review

Regulatory Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticles on Seed Germination: A Multilevel Integrative Perspective

by
Yawen Zheng
1,
Chongyuan Qin
2,
Peilin Han
1,
Yinuo Pan
1,
Yingxin Han
1,
Hengjin Chen
1,
Xiumei Wang
1,
Juanxia Li
1,
Jixiang Lin
1,
Jinghong Wang
1,* and
Lirong Zhang
3,*
1
College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
2
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
3
Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing 100012, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(4), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041692
Submission received: 24 December 2025 / Revised: 29 January 2026 / Accepted: 29 January 2026 / Published: 10 February 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Seed Development and Germination)
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Abstract

With the growing global population and the challenges posed by climate change on agriculture, improving seed germination quality has become an urgent task. Nanotechnology, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), offers a promising approach to this issue. However, their long-term environmental impact and health risks require further evaluation.This review first explores the physicochemical properties of AgNPs and their effects on plant growth and seed development. Next, the review discusses the mechanisms by which AgNPs enhance seed resistance to pathogens, regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance, activate key metabolic enzymes, induce metabolite accumulation, and modulate plant hormone levels. Additionally, the review explores how AgNPs influence seed gene expression, proteomic networks, and the germination microenvironment. Given the lack of field data on long-term low-dose exposure and challenges in monitoring morphological transformation, the review also evaluates the potential risks of AgNPs in agriculture. These risks include their accumulation in the food chain, environmental transformation, and long-term effects.The review aims to summarize the mechanisms by which AgNPs impact seed germination and plant growth, providing a theoretical basis for their cautious use in agricultural and horticultural practices, while considering their environmental fate and health risks.
Keywords: silver nanoparticles (AgNPs); seed germination; molecular mechanisms; nanofertilizers; plant physiology silver nanoparticles (AgNPs); seed germination; molecular mechanisms; nanofertilizers; plant physiology

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zheng, Y.; Qin, C.; Han, P.; Pan, Y.; Han, Y.; Chen, H.; Wang, X.; Li, J.; Lin, J.; Wang, J.; et al. Regulatory Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticles on Seed Germination: A Multilevel Integrative Perspective. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041692

AMA Style

Zheng Y, Qin C, Han P, Pan Y, Han Y, Chen H, Wang X, Li J, Lin J, Wang J, et al. Regulatory Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticles on Seed Germination: A Multilevel Integrative Perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(4):1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041692

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zheng, Yawen, Chongyuan Qin, Peilin Han, Yinuo Pan, Yingxin Han, Hengjin Chen, Xiumei Wang, Juanxia Li, Jixiang Lin, Jinghong Wang, and et al. 2026. "Regulatory Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticles on Seed Germination: A Multilevel Integrative Perspective" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 4: 1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041692

APA Style

Zheng, Y., Qin, C., Han, P., Pan, Y., Han, Y., Chen, H., Wang, X., Li, J., Lin, J., Wang, J., & Zhang, L. (2026). Regulatory Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticles on Seed Germination: A Multilevel Integrative Perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(4), 1692. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27041692

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