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Plants
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Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Nanomaterials: Challenges and Opportunities
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Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Nanomaterials: Challenges and Opportunities

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2025) | Viewed by 6010

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Blvd. Ing. Enrique Reyna H. No. 140, Saltillo 25294, Coahuila, México
Interests: synthesis of metallic nanoparticles; synthesis of nanoparticle–polymer composites; surface modification of nanoparticles; electrically conductive polymer composites; thermally conductive polymer composites; antimicrobial polymers; photocatalyst–polymer composites; polymer–carbon composites; polymer composites for water treatment; sustainable agriculture; nanotechnology; nano-agrochemicals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marissa Pérez-Alvarez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nanomaterials Chemistry, Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada, Saltillo 25294, Coahuila, México
Interests: synthesis of metallic nanoparticles; synthesis of nanoparticle–polymer composites; modification surface of nanoparticles; applications of polymers in enhanced recovery oil; biosynthesis of nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In all countries, one of the major concerns of political leaders is to ensure food security for their people. They face various challenges such as climate change, pests and plant diseases, physical degradation, and soil chemistry and biology, to mention just a few. Strategic alternative technologies utilizing various nanomaterials are being developed in agriculture worldwide to help with germination, cultivation, and harvest and to achieve sustainable agriculture. The use of nanotechnology in this area allows the integration of organic and inorganic nanoparticles for the manufacture of various nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanostimulants, nanocomposite nutritive solutions, and others, which can be used to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. This Special Issue aims to bring together all those studies that address the sustainability of agriculture and show potential benefits through the use of nanomaterials, including reducing environmental impact and increasing efficiency in the supply of nutrients and pest control, as well as the challenges and opportunities posed by nanomaterials in their interaction with seeds, plants, and fruits or harvests.

Prof. Dr. Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego
Dr. Marissa Pérez-Alvarez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanoparticles
  • nanotechnology
  • nano-stimulants
  • nutritive nano-solution
  • sustainable agriculture
  • eco-friendly synthesis
  • green nanomaterials
  • drench and foliar application

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 6054 KB  
Article
From Bench to Greenhouse: The Comparative Nano-Bio System Effects of Green-Synthesized TiO2-NPs and Plant-Growth-Promoting Microorganisms in Capsicum annuum
by Atiya Bhatti, Jorge L. Mejía-Méndez, Soheil S. Mamhoud, Araceli Sanchez-Martinez, Gildardo Sánchez-Ante, Jorge Manuel Silva-Jara, Eugenio Sánchez-Arreola, Luis Marcelo Lozano, Gonzalo Tortella, Edgar R. López-Mena and Diego E. Navarro-López
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3672; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233672 - 2 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 759
Abstract
In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) were produced via green routes using blueberry extracts obtained with isopropanol (I-TiO2-NPs) and methanol (M-TiO2 NPs). HPLC-DAD confirmed phenolic/flavonoid profiles in the extracts, and spectroscopy/microscopy established anatase, polyhedral, mesoporous TiO2 [...] Read more.
In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) were produced via green routes using blueberry extracts obtained with isopropanol (I-TiO2-NPs) and methanol (M-TiO2 NPs). HPLC-DAD confirmed phenolic/flavonoid profiles in the extracts, and spectroscopy/microscopy established anatase, polyhedral, mesoporous TiO2-NPs with Eg ≈ 3.0 eV, hydrodynamic sizes ≈ 130–150 nm and negative ζ-potentials (−33 to −50 mV). The in vitro compatibility between TiO2-NPs and the plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) Bacillus subtilis (Bs), Bacillus thuringiensis (B), and Trichoderma harzianum (T) sustained increased growth up to 150 µg/mL without visible negative effects. In greenhouse experimentation of Capsicum annuum exposed to low-moderate TiO2-NPs, an increased leaf number and plant height were observed, while root length did not exceed the controls. I-TiO2 at moderate concentrations, particularly with a single PGPM (B or T), promoted fresh and dry biomass accumulation. Biochemically, peroxidase rose sharply for M-TiO2 at a low dose with consortium, whereas I-TiO2 elicited broader antioxidant responses; total protein increased at higher doses for both formulations, and total chlorophyll was highest with I-TiO2 (high dose with or without PGPMS). Collectively, the nano-bio system shows a formulation- and dose-dependent biphasic behavior: (I) I-TiO2 enhances biomass and photosynthetic pigments; (II) M-TiO2 favors strong POX induction under specific microorganism-dose combinations; and (III) single PGPM co-application with I-TiO2-NPs or M-TiO2 NPs outperforms consortia under our experimental conditions. Green synthesis thus provides surface functionalities that improve dispersion, microbial compatibility, and predictable physiological/biochemical outcomes for precision agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Nanomaterials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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Review

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21 pages, 1251 KB  
Review
The Balkan Region and the “Nano Gap”: An Underexplored Dimension of In Vitro Biotechnology for Woody Plants
by Valbona Sota, Slađana Jevremović, Eleni Abraham, Vanja Daničić, Dejan Bošnjak, Lilyana Nacheva, Branislav Cvjetković, Vlatko Andonovski, Sanja Bogunović, Efigjeni Kongjika, Svjetlana Zeljković, Darko Jevremović, Zvjezdana Marković, Vladislava Galović and Tatjana Vujović
Plants 2025, 14(22), 3499; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223499 - 16 Nov 2025
Viewed by 950
Abstract
Although nanotechnology is increasingly applied in plant tissue culture in many parts of Europe, its use in the Balkans remains limited, revealing a regional gap with untapped potential for advancing in vitro propagation and preservation of woody plant species. Building upon a recently [...] Read more.
Although nanotechnology is increasingly applied in plant tissue culture in many parts of Europe, its use in the Balkans remains limited, revealing a regional gap with untapped potential for advancing in vitro propagation and preservation of woody plant species. Building upon a recently published regional review covering 2001–2024, which analyzed in vitro biotechnology progress in nine Balkan countries, this paper introduces the concept of a “nano gap”, referring to the limited connection between existing nanotechnology research potential and its use in in vitro woody plant biotechnology. In Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Albania, significant progress has been made in optimizing micropropagation and in vitro conservation strategies by introducing temporary immersion systems, synthetic seed technology, adapting genotype-specific sterilization and multiplication protocols, and modifying established cryopreservation methods for regional woody species. However, the integration of nanotechnology into these systems remains largely unexplored. To date, there are no published results or validated applications for nano-enhanced media or nanoscale delivery systems for micropropagation and in vitro conservation of woody species. The limited integration of nanotechnology may be due to insufficient funding, lack of specialized infrastructure, and limited interdisciplinary expertise. Nevertheless, many Balkan countries possess growing capacities in nano-applications within agriculture and environmental sciences and are ready to advance toward interdisciplinary research and innovation. By mapping both scientific readiness and structural barriers, this review provides a strategic framework for bridging the “nano gap” and offers a novel regional perspective with broader implications for European research policy, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity preservation, and green innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Nanomaterials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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51 pages, 4203 KB  
Review
Carbon Dot Nanoparticles Synthesized from Horticultural Extracts for Postharvest Shelf-Life Extension of Fruits and Vegetables
by Tshiamo B. Leta, Jerry O. Adeyemi and Olaniyi A. Fawole
Plants 2025, 14(16), 2523; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14162523 - 13 Aug 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3893
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable food preservation technologies has spurred interest in green-synthesized carbon dots (CDs) derived from horticultural produce, positioning them as a promising nanomaterial for prolonging the shelf life of perishable food products. Most of these green approaches offer renewable, low-cost [...] Read more.
The increasing demand for sustainable food preservation technologies has spurred interest in green-synthesized carbon dots (CDs) derived from horticultural produce, positioning them as a promising nanomaterial for prolonging the shelf life of perishable food products. Most of these green approaches offer renewable, low-cost nanoparticles with excellent ultraviolet (UV) light barrier capabilities, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. These features help protect food products from the growth of foodborne pathogens and retard oxidative spoilage to extend their shelf life through edible coatings and packaging. To this end, this review critically explores current breakthroughs in biosynthesis, characterization, and application of CDs generated from different agricultural extracts, the mechanism of action, and possible synergistic effects when paired with other food preservation agents, aligning with circular economic principles. Scalability challenges, regulatory limitations, and potential future directions are all explored to present a comprehensive understanding of the topic, paving the way for innovative preservation methods in the food industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Nanomaterials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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