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Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition

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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 (30 July 2026) | Viewed by 12341

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Prof. Dr. Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego

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Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Blvd. Ing. Enrique Reyna H. No. 140, Saltillo 25294, Mexico
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
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Prof. Dr. Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza

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Departamento de Horticultura, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Interests: plant biostimulation; plant nutrition; stress tolerance induction; seed priming using nanometric or bulk species of essential and beneficial nutrients; biopolymers; UV radiation; relationships between plant biostimulation, plant nutrition, tolerance to stress, and the nutritional quality and biofortification of vegetables and fruits
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Prof. Dr. Antonio Juárez Maldonado

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Departamento de Botánica, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
Interests: plant physiology; plant ecophysiology; biotic and abiotic stress; crop production; biostimulation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growth in the world population is the main factor that governs global environmental change, since it causes a need to occupy spaces destined for agriculture, increases the consumption of food, water, and energy, and generates the strong emission of greenhouse gases, causing drastic climate changes. Environmental changes limit agricultural production and reduce the yield and quality of products due to biotic and abiotic environmental stress. In addition, various environmental stress conditions, such as drought, heat, salinity, cold, or pathogenic infections, are detrimental to plant growth and development.

Different technologies are used to reduce the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on agricultural crops. Recently, nanotechnology has attracted much attention and has been used to combat stress in plants and reduce its negative effects on agricultural production, avoiding large economic losses. Various nanoparticles and nanomaterials have been used, and positive and negative biological effects have been found.

Nanotechnology is an important tool for sustainable crop production, reducing nutrient loss, suppressing disease by pathogens, and thus improving yields. The idea of using nanotechnology for the sustainable production of safe food is explored, in this Special Issue, from a number of perspectives, including those related to the toxicity of food and the environment.

This Special Issue includes articles related to the use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials to combat biotic and abiotic stress in crop production.

Prof. Dr. Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego
Prof. Dr. Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza
Prof. Dr. Antonio Juárez Maldonado
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-anonymized 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

abiotic stress
biotic stress
nanoparticles
agricultural crops
drought
salinity
nanomaterials
environmental stresses
climate change

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Related Special Issue

Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development under Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants (9 articles)

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Research

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26 pages, 7720 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nano-Selenium-Mediated Alleviation of Chromium Toxicity and Selenium Biofortification of Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. in Cyclic Hydroponic System

by Mingxuan Wang, Yunting Wang, Shuangqi Yue, Fengyue Qin, Menglu Dong, Wenxin Wang, Xinyu Shan, Waqas Ahmed, Sajid Mehmood and Weidong Li

Plants 2026, 15(15), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15152279 - 25 Jul 2026

Viewed by 326

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) contamination poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity and food safety, yet effective strategies for mitigating Cr toxicity under practical cultivation conditions remain limited. In this study, green-synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), prepared from banana peel extract (average particle size: 112.9 nm), were evaluated against conventional sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) for alleviating Cr(VI) toxicity in Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. grown in a dynamic cyclic hydroponic system. Plants were exposed to 20 mg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) and treated with SeNPs or Na₂SeO₃ at 1 and 10 mg L⁻¹, respectively, for a duration of one week. Green-synthesized SeNPs exhibited excellent colloidal stability (zeta potential: −35.5 mV) and an amorphous spherical morphology. Relative to the Cr-only treatment, 10 mg L⁻¹ SeNPs almost completely restored plant biomass and root growth, decreased shoot Cr accumulation by 62.2%, and recovered total chlorophyll content to 94.8% of the control level. By comparison, 10 mg L⁻¹ Na₂SeO₃ restored total chlorophyll to 74.2% of the control and reduced shoot Cr accumulation by 50.6%. SeNPs also elicited a stronger antioxidant response, markedly increasing SOD, POD, and CAT activities while significantly lowering H₂O₂, MDA, and proline levels, demonstrating a greater capacity than selenite to alleviate Cr-induced oxidative damage. SeNPs also restored the uptake of essential mineral nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), improved soluble sugar and protein contents, and promoted selenium biofortification in edible shoots. Although both selenium forms alleviated Cr-induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage, SeNPs consistently outperformed Na₂SeO₃ owing to their higher bioavailability and sustained physiological activity. Overall, this study demonstrates that green-synthesized SeNPs provide an efficient and sustainable strategy for reducing Cr accumulation while simultaneously improving crop growth, antioxidant capacity, and nutritional quality under agriculturally relevant hydroponic conditions, highlighting their potential for safer food production and agricultural waste valorization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 2780 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mn₃O₄ Nanozyme Soaking Improved Wheat Germination and Yield Under Salt Stress

by Linbo Zhao, Wenrui Qi, Jiahao Liu, Linfeng Bao, Mengyang Li, Mengke Du, Tingyong Mao, Wei Sang, Pengpeng Liu, Jiangbo Li, Yunlong Zhai and Desheng Wang

Plants 2026, 15(14), 2124; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15142124 - 9 Jul 2026

Viewed by 300

Abstract

Salinity is a major factor limiting the increase in crop yield around the world. Wheat starch and straw are important raw materials for producing bioethanol, and their productivity is adversely affected by salinity. Polyacrylic acid-modified Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (PMO) have been reported to improve crop tolerance to stressors, including salt stress. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which seed soaking with PMOs enhances wheat salt tolerance. PMO seed soaking promoted wheat germination (increase of 30.9%) under salt stress, and seedlings treated with PMO seed soaking had a higher fresh weight (increase of 31.4%). PMO seed soaking increased the POD activity (by 31.9%) but decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of wheat seeds and the O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ contents (by 25.0 and 71.4%, respectively). Furthermore, PMO soaking increased the ATP, NADPH, and NADH contents (by 367.6, 212.0, and 283.2%, respectively) by regulating sugar metabolism and enhanced the ascorbic acid–glutathione cycle. Additionally, the PMO soaking treatment optimized energy allocation in wheat under salt stress and increased yield (by 9.7%). PMO modulated sugar metabolism, thereby optimizing energy allocation to plant growth and the antioxidant system, which enhanced wheat germination and yield formation under salt stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 3757 KB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Essential Element-Based Nanoparticles in Rice: Unraveling the Impacts of Yttrium Oxide and Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles on Root Accumulation and Antioxidant Responses

by Boxuan Xie and Yukui Rui

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111727 - 3 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 928

Abstract

Nanotechnology has attracted increasing attention in agricultural and environmental research, but the biological effects and potential risks of nanoparticles based on non-essential elements remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings to yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y₂O₃ NPs) and zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) at 5, 25, and 100 mg/L under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that neither Y₂O₃ nor ZrO₂ NPs significantly affected visible growth traits or SPAD-based leaf chlorophyll status, suggesting that seedling morphology and leaf greenness remained relatively stable during exposure. However, both nanoparticles induced distinct biochemical responses. Y₂O₃ NPs caused root-level stress-like responses, including increased malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and suppressed peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities under specific exposure conditions. In contrast, ZrO₂ NPs were more closely associated with the activation of antioxidant defenses, particularly through enhanced POD activity and increased root CAT activity. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis further showed that Y and Zr were mainly retained in roots, with root Y reaching 5014.12–11,255.05 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight (DW) under Y₂O₃ NP exposure and root Zr reaching 189.68 mg kg⁻¹ DW under high-concentration ZrO₂ NP exposure. Bio-transmission electron microscopy (bio-TEM) supported the root-dominant localization of nanoparticle-associated electron-dense aggregates. These findings indicate that Y₂O₃ and ZrO₂ NPs exert material-specific effects on rice seedlings, with root accumulation and antioxidant regulation serving as more sensitive indicators than visible growth traits. However, further research is needed to clarify the long-term environmental fate of Y₂O₃ and ZrO₂ NPs and to assess their potential ecological and food safety risks in agricultural systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 17189 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spirulina-Derived Carbon Dots Promote Context-Dependent Effects on Rice Metabolism, Yield, and Grain Quality Under Non-Stress and Heat Stress Conditions

by Luana Vanessa Peretti Minello, Shaiane Lessa dos Santos, Luana Bueno Longaray, Natan da Silva Fagundes, Sidnei Deuner, Aline Nunes, Eva Regina Oliveira, Marcelo Maraschin and Raul Antonio Sperotto

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1657; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111657 - 28 May 2026

Viewed by 487

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as promising nanobioinputs capable of modulating plant metabolism and stress responses. However, their effectiveness under field conditions remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of Spirulina-derived carbon dots (S-CDs) on rice metabolic, agronomic, and grain-quality responses under non-stress and heat stress conditions. Two independent field experiments were conducted under ambient and heat stress conditions, the latter imposed using temporary greenhouse structures during the reproductive stage. S-CDs were applied by foliar spraying (0.2 mg mL⁻¹) at key developmental stages. Their effects were assessed through metabolic, agronomic, and grain quality analyses. Under non-stress conditions, daily average temperatures ranged from 20 to 27 °C, while daily maxima ranged from 24 to 38 °C. Heat stress increased daily average temperature by 3.9 °C and daily maximum temperature by 12.5 °C, with temperature peaks frequently exceeding 45 °C for several hours. Under non-stress conditions, S-CDs induced modest changes in antioxidant, carbon, and nitrogen metabolism, but without consistent improvements in grain yield or yield components. Under heat stress, however, S-CD application reduced spikelet sterility and increased grain yield despite limited changes in the metabolic variables evaluated. Grain quality and nutritional composition also responded differently depending on the environmental condition, indicating context-dependent effects. S-CDs showed limited agronomic relevance under favorable field conditions, but contributed to yield stability under heat stress. These findings support the potential of S-CDs as complementary nanobiostimulants to improve rice resilience under climate-related stress conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 2514 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Foliarly Applied Orange Carbon Dots on Grain Yield and Quality in Maize Hybrids and Inbred Lines

by Ivana Milenković, Zoran Čamdžija, Slađana Žilić, Milan Borišev, Slađana Z. Spasić and Ksenija Radotić

Plants 2026, 15(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010008 - 19 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1821

Abstract

Maize is a key staple cereal, with its cultivation improved through genetics, denser planting, and greater fertilizer use. However, little is known about the effects of nanomaterials on maize’s grain quality. This study evaluated the effect of the foliar application of orange carbon dots (o-CDs) on maize’s growth, grain yield, and quality under typical field conditions. Two ZP maize hybrids and their inbred lines were tested. The results showed a gradual increase in grain yield for the hybrids, particularly ZP 4567, which responded significantly to a 5 mg/L treatment. Increased starch content was observed in both the hybrid ZP 4567 and the inbred line L56 L026 following treatment with o-CDs at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 5 mg/L. The significant increase in oil content was observed in inbred line L56 L026. Photosynthetic parameters and pigments were elevated in both hybrids after treatments, although the antioxidative capacity remained unchanged. The findings suggest that o-CDs positively influence grain yield and quality by enhancing photosynthesis and increasing the accumulation of key biochemical compounds. This study provides novel insights into the application of carbon nanoparticles in sustainable crop production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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21 pages, 4037 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on the Effects of Silicon Nanoparticles and Cellulose Nanocrystals on Drought Tolerance in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

by Meng Li, Sile Hu, Xulong Bai, Jie Ren, Kanliang Tian, Huili Zhang, Zhilong Zhang and Vanquy Nguyen

Plants 2025, 14(10), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101461 - 14 May 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1989

Abstract

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a herbaceous species that is commonly used for ecological slope restoration in China. However, water scarcity often constrains its growth due to the unique site conditions of steep slopes and climate-induced drought stress. This study aims to compare the ameliorative effects of silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on drought stress in tall fescue and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms of action. The results indicated that drought stress impaired photosynthesis, restricted nutrient absorption, and increased oxidative stress, ultimately reducing biomass. However, Si NPs and CNCs enhanced drought tolerance and promoted biomass accumulation by improving photosynthesis, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Specifically, Si NP treatment increased biomass by 48.71% compared to drought-stressed control plants, while CNCs resulted in a 33.41% increase. Transcriptome sequencing further revealed that both nanomaterials enhanced drought tolerance by upregulating genes associated with photosynthesis and antioxidant defense. Additionally, Si NPs improved drought tolerance by stimulating root growth, enhancing nutrient uptake, and improving leaf structure. In contrast, CNCs play a distinct role by regulating the expression of genes related to cell wall synthesis and metabolism. These findings highlight the crucial roles of these two nanomaterials in plant stress protection and offer a sustainable strategy for the maintenance and management of slope vegetation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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Review

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52 pages, 2574 KB

Open AccessReview

Nanoparticle-Induced Cross-Tolerance: A Review of Mechanisms for Concurrent Biotic and Abiotic Stress Mitigation in Crops

by Mukhtar Iderawumi Abdulraheem, Iram Naz, Marissa Pérez-Alvarez, Jiandong Hu, Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego and Olaniyi Amos Fawole

Plants 2026, 15(9), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091334 - 27 Apr 2026

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1557

Abstract

Plants in agricultural systems rarely face single stressors; instead, they encounter concurrent biotic (pathogen, pests) and abiotic (drought, salinity, heavy metals) stresses that causes severely reduce crop yields and endanger food security. The traditional methods of breeding, genetic engineering, and agrochemicals tend to target individual stresses and still do not suffice in the complex field conditions. Compared to these approaches, nanotechnology offers distinct advantages: nanoparticles (NPs) can be applied as foliar sprays or seed treatments without lengthy breeding cycles or regulatory hurdles associated with genetically modified organisms. However, nanotechnology is not inherently “better” but rather complementary to crop engineering; each approach has specific strengths. Breeding and genetic engineering provide heritable, long-term solutions, while nanotechnology offers immediate, season-specific, and reversible interventions. Cross-tolerance, the phenomenon whereby exposure to one stress enhances tolerance to another, offers a promising alternative. This review critically examines how NPs act as stress-priming agents that induce cross-tolerance by activating overlapping defense networks, including antioxidant systems (SOD, CAT, APX), phytohormonal crosstalk (ABA, SA, JA), osmolyte homeostasis, and stress-responsive gene expression. We synthesize current evidence on NP uptake, translocation, and cellular interactions, and evaluate their dual role in directly suppressing pathogens while simultaneously enhancing plant immune responses and physiological resilience. However, efficacy is highly dose-dependent: low, subtoxic doses prime defense through hermetic ROS signaling, whereas supraoptimal doses cause phytotoxicity. The current challenges in nano-mediated stress alleviation include: (i) a persistent laboratory-to-field translation gap, with field outcomes averaging only 60–70% of greenhouse efficacy; (ii) dose-dependent phytotoxicity; (iii) poor reproducibility across studies; (iv) scalability and formulation stability issues; and (v) insufficient understanding of long-term environmental fate, including soil accumulation, non-target organism effects, and food chain safety. Future research should consider field-validated formulations (e.g., SiNPs, ZnONPs, Fe₃O₄NPs) across major staple crops); integrating nanotechnology with precision agriculture through nanosensors, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence for site-specific, dose-optimized applications;developing smart, biodegradable nanoparticles with stimuli-responsive release; and establishing harmonized regulatory frameworks for nano-agrochemical approval. When deployed responsibly, nanoparticle-induced cross-tolerance represents a sustainable approach to improve crop resistance against multifactorial stress, with significant implications for climate-resilient agriculture and global food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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36 pages, 6350 KB

Open AccessReview

Nanoparticle Applications in Plant Biotechnology: A Comprehensive Review

by Viktor Husak, Milos Faltus, Alois Bilavcik, Stanislav Narozhnyi and Olena Bobrova

Plants 2026, 15(3), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030364 - 24 Jan 2026

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3647

Abstract

Nanotechnology is becoming a key tool in plant biotechnology, enabling nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver biomolecules with high precision and to enhance plant and tissue resilience under stress. However, the literature remains fragmented across genetic delivery, in vitro regeneration, stress mitigation, and germplasm cryopreservation, and it still lacks standardized, comparable protocols and robust long-term safety assessments—particularly for NP use in cryogenic workflows. This review critically integrates recent advances in NP-enabled (i) genetic engineering and transformation, (ii) tissue culture and regeneration, (iii) nanofertilization and abiotic stress mitigation, and (iv) cryopreservation of plant germplasm. Across these areas, the most consistent findings indicate that NPs can facilitate targeted transport of DNA, RNA, proteins, and regulatory complexes; modulate oxidative and osmotic stress responses; and improve regeneration performance in recalcitrant species. In cryopreservation, selected nanomaterials act as multifunctional cryoprotective adjuvants by suppressing oxidative injury, stabilizing cellular membranes, and improving post-thaw viability and regrowth of sensitive tissues. At the same time, NP outcomes are highly context-dependent, with efficacy governed by dose, size, and surface chemistry; formulation; plant genotype; and interactions with culture media or vitrification solutions. Evidence of potential phytotoxicity, persistence, and biosafety risks highlights the need for harmonized reporting, mechanistic studies on NP–cell interfaces, and evaluation of environmental fate. Expected outcomes of this review include a consolidated framework linking NP properties to biological endpoints, identification of design principles for application-specific NP selection, and a set of research priorities to accelerate the safe and reproducible translation of nanotechnology into sustainable plant biotechnology and long-term germplasm preservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development Under Biotic and Abiotic Stress: 2nd Edition)

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