Search Results (210)

The intensive use of agricultural inputs and the increasing incorporation of nano-materials into crop management practices raise concerns about their ecotoxicological interactions in plant systems. This study evaluated phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in Allium cepa L. under experimental nano-agrochemical exposure scenarios combining two conventional nitrogen fertilizers—ammonium sulfate (AS) and urea—with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Biological responses were assessed across fertilizer concentrations (0.03–0.5 g/L), applied individually, simultaneously, and sequentially, to identify modulatory effects of AgNPs on plant proliferative activity and genomic stability. Results showed the relative stability of morphophysiological indicators associated with root growth, whereas cytogenetic biomarkers exhibited selective alterations under specific conditions. Significant increases in genetic damage markers were detected at intermediate ammonium sulfate concentrations, suggesting sublethal phytotoxicity windows not reflected by macroscopic growth parameters. In addition, modulation of the mitotic index and absence of generalized genotoxic effects in most combined or sequential treatments indicate that AgNPs primarily acted as modulators of proliferative responses rather than direct cytotoxic agents. Overall, these findings highlight the dynamic and non-linear nature of nano-agrochemical interactions in plant systems and underscore the importance of multibiomarker approaches for the early detection of genomic instability. The results provide experimental evidence relevant to the environmental risk assessment of nano-enabled fertilization strategies under realistic mixed-exposure scenarios. This study contributes to advancing the ecotoxicological understanding of emerging agricultural technologies and supports the need for further mechanistic research and field-based evaluations to guide the safe and sustainable use of nanomaterials in crop production. Full article

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient, but poorly controlled inputs may increase phytotoxicity risks and alter soil–plant nutrient dynamics. Therefore, Cu formulations that regulate rhizosphere Cu availability are of agronomic interest. This study compared non-encapsulated Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) and alginate-encapsulated Cu nanoparticles (eCuNPs) in a 42-day pot experiment with Lactuca sativa L. grown in two agricultural soils with different properties, applying 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg of Cu kg⁻¹. Soil properties, Rhizzo-extractable Cu as a proxy of available Cu, plant biomass, Cu accumulation, and nutrient concentrations were evaluated. Rhizzo-extractable Cu increased with dose under CuNPs, particularly in the soil with lower organic matter and ECEC, whereas eCuNPs maintained values closer to the control levels. In the soil with higher organic matter and ECEC, CuNPs were associated with reduced shoot and root biomass at higher doses, while eCuNPs showed a more variable response and, in some cases, higher biomass values. In contrast, biomass remained low across all treatments in the more limiting soil. Cu accumulated mainly in roots, and foliar Cu (FW) remained low and close to typical values reported for lettuce in the USDA FoodData Central database. Alginate encapsulation may reduce short-term Cu mobilization in the rhizosphere and could represent a promising strategy to improve the safety of CuNP applications, particularly in soils with higher organic matter and ECEC. Full article

Agriculture faces escalating challenges from pests, diseases, and climatic stresses that threaten global food security. Green nanotechnology offers a sustainable approach to enhance crop protection and productivity by using plant-based methods to synthesize metallic nanoparticles (NPs), reducing chemical inputs and environmental impacts. This review presents the framework of green nanotechnology in agriculture, focusing on biogenic sources of nanoparticle synthesis (especially plant extracts), mechanisms of nanoparticle formation and stabilization by phytochemicals, and characterization techniques for green-synthesized NPs. We examine the application of plant-derived metallic nanoparticles as nanofertilizers to improve nutrient use efficiency and crop yields, as nanopesticides to manage plant pathogens and pests, and as nano-enabled agents to enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought. Recent studies demonstrate that green-synthesized NPs can increase wheat and rice yields by 13–55%, improve nutrient-use efficiency by up to 80–90% compared to conventional fertilizers, and provide effective pathogen control at reduced active ingredient doses, while reducing dependence on conventional agrochemicals. The review also discusses key challenges limiting large-scale adoption, including production scalability, biological variability in synthesis, potential phytotoxicity at high concentrations, regulatory uncertainties, and gaps in knowledge regarding nanoparticle fate and safety. Overall, green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles emerge as promising tools for improving crop productivity and protection in an eco-friendly manner, supporting the transition toward more sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

Drought stress severely limits maize growth and productivity worldwide. In this study, we examined the effects of foliar-applied carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) on morphological and physiological traits in maize plants exposed to drought stress for 25 days. Two maize hybrids, one drought-tolerant (LG 36745 PRO4) and one drought-sensitive (AG 8088 PRO2), were fertilized with 0 or 1.0 mL L⁻¹ of a CNP-based nanofertilizer at the V₂ growth stage and exposed to three drought levels: 0 MPa (control), −0.4 MPa (moderate stress), and −0.8 MPa (severe stress). The experiment followed a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design (hybrid × CNP treatment × drought level) with four replicates. Results indicated that drought stress adversely affected most morphological and physiological traits, particularly in the drought-sensitive hybrid. However, foliar CNP application significantly alleviated the adverse effects of drought in maize plants under moderate and severe stress, primarily by preserving plant water status, enhancing water use efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, photosynthetic rate, and initial growth in challenging environments. These findings will provide the basis for future research on management practices adopted to control drought and ensure the development of modern and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Foliar nanofertilization is increasingly being explored as a strategy to enhance crop nutritional quality; however, dose-dependent physiological and metabolic responses remain insufficiently defined. This study evaluated the effects of conventional NPK (20:20:20) and nano-formulated NPK combined with zinc (3 and 5 g/L) on the mineral composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic profile of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L., cv. ‘Dora’) grown under controlled conditions. Physicochemical characterization of the nanofertilizer by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirmed nanoscale primary particle size and revealed concentration-dependent aggregation behavior at higher Zn levels. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among treatments in macro- and microelement content, total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity. The application of nano NPK combined with 3 g/L Zn resulted in the highest accumulation of total phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant capacity, suggesting stimulation of secondary metabolism. In contrast, the higher Zn concentration (5 g/L) further increased carotenoid content but was associated with elevated proline levels, indicating the onset of physiological stress. Multivariate analyses (PCA and ROC) supported dose-dependent metabolic modulation and confirmed that combinations of selected metabolites contributed to clearer differentiation between fertilization regimes. Overall, the results highlight the existence of an optimal nano-zinc application range that enhances fruit functional quality while avoiding stress-related metabolic imbalance, emphasizing the importance of physicochemical stability in nano-enabled fertilization strategies. While this study focused on a single sweet pepper cultivar, future research should explore other pepper species to evaluate whether similar dose-dependent nano Zn effects are observed. Full article

Micronutrient deficiencies and low nutrient-use efficiency remain critical constraints to sustainable crop production. This study tested the hypothesis that Zn- and Cu-doped MnFe₂O₄ spinel ferrite nanoparticles can function as an efficient multinutrient nanofertilizer to enhance fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) growth and physiological performance. Zn- and Cu-doped MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol–gel method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The nanoparticles exhibited a cubic spinel structure with an average crystallite size of 27 nm and uniform incorporation of Zn and Cu within the MnFe₂O₄ lattice. Foliar application at different concentrations (100–500 mg/L) significantly improved seed germination, seed vigor, plant height, leaf number, stem thickness, biomass accumulation, and chlorophyll content compared with the untreated control. The 300 mg/L treatment consistently produced the greatest improvements, increasing plant height, biomass, and total chlorophyll content by more than 25–40% relative to control plants. Higher concentrations of T₅ resulted in diminished benefits, indicating a concentration-dependent response. These findings demonstrate that Zn- and Cu-doped MnFe₂O₄ nanofertilizer provides a balanced and bioavailable source of essential micronutrients, offering a promising nano-enabled strategy for improving nutrient use efficiency and sustainable fenugreek production. Full article

In recent years, phosphorus (P) nanoparticles have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional fertilizers. This study evaluated zeolite-fixed hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP) for greenhouse tomato cultivation, comparing their efficiency with phosphate rock (positive P input) and quartz sand (negative P Carrier). Material characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and zeta potential analysis revealed that zeolite was identified predominantly as clinoptilolite, phosphate rock as phosphate-bearing aluminosilicates, and quartz sand as crystalline quartz; in all cases, the materials exhibited negatively charged surfaces. Hybrid fertilizers were formed through electrostatic interactions between zeolite and nHAP, confirming the successful development of a zeolite-based carrier for nanohydroxyapatite delivery. Application of 0.01 g·L⁻¹ nHAP increased the effective quantum yield of Photosystem II by 0.64 compared to the control at midday. Fruit firmness showed no significant differences among treatments. The highest sugar and soluble solids content was observed with 0.1 g·L⁻¹ nHAP (6.84 °Brix), whereas the 1 g·L⁻¹ treatment enhanced pigment concentrations, reaching 5.9 mg·g⁻¹/g chlorophyll a, 2.92 mg·g⁻¹ chlorophyll b, and 2.82 mg·g⁻¹ carotenoids. The 0.01 g·L⁻¹ dose of nHAP maintained quality characteristics and marginally increased yield; however, yield decreased at higher nHAP concentrations, opening new research opportunities to optimize this nanofertilizer. Full article

Zinc (Zn) is a mineral that plays a vital role in the growth and development processes of different plants. Although it is required in small quantities, its presence is essential in a crop. In recent years, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have garnered significant interest in agriculture due to their unique physical and chemical properties. As a result, they can be used as alternative fertilizers to help crops experiencing mineral deficiency, stress, or fungal problems. These nanomaterials can be obtained through various synthesis methods, including sol–gel, chemical precipitation, microemulsion, and green synthesis, among others. This enables managing their size, shape, and internal arrangement, establishing their ultimate characteristics and feasible uses. In this review, we will present some of the most commonly used synthesis methods for obtaining ZnO NPs, the frequently used characterization techniques, as well as some of the positive and toxic effects caused by their application in crops. Full article

Magnesium is an essential macronutrient for both plants and humans. However, its availability in agricultural systems and dietary intake has been declining, raising concerns about crop productivity and nutritional security. In plants, magnesium plays a critical role in photosynthesis, enzyme activation, carbohydrate transport, and overall metabolic regulation, while in humans it is required for numerous biochemical processes related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular function, and disease prevention. Long-term studies have reported a 20–30% decrease in magnesium concentrations in fruits and vegetables worldwide, potentially contributing to widespread magnesium deficiency. Soil factors such as acidification, nutrient imbalance, and intensive agricultural practices further limit magnesium availability along the soil–plant–human continuum. This review summarizes the biological importance of magnesium in plants and humans, evaluates the occurrence and causes of magnesium deficiency, and discusses current strategies for improving magnesium nutrition through agronomic and genetic biofortification. It considers even fertilizer management, nano-fertilizers, and alternative magnesium sources such as serpentinite. The review highlights biofortification as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to enhance crop magnesium concentration and mitigate global magnesium deficiency while emphasizing the need for further research on bioavailability, environmental safety, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Full article

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. Full article

Nanofertilizers have attracted increasing attention as an approach to improve the low nutrient use efficiency of conventional fertilizers, in which only a limited fraction of applied nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is ultimately taken up by crops. Beyond their capacity to minimize nutrient losses, nanofertilizers have attracted increasing attention for their possible role in addressing environmental issues, including soil eutrophication and the contamination of groundwater systems. Owing to their nanoscale characteristics, including large specific surface area and enhanced adsorption capacity, these materials enable more precise nutrient delivery to the rhizosphere and sustained release over extended periods, while also influencing soil–plant–microbe interactions. In this review, nanofertilizers are classified into six major categories—macronutrient-based, micronutrient-based, organic, controlled-release, composite, and nano-enhanced formulations—and representative examples and preparation routes are summarized, including green synthesis approaches and conventional chemical methods. The agronomic mechanisms associated with nanofertilizer application are discussed, with emphasis on enhanced nutrient uptake, modification of soil physicochemical properties, and shifts in microbial community composition. Reported studies indicate that nanofertilizers can increase crop yield across different crop species and formulations, while also contributing to improved nutrient cycling. Despite these advantages, several limitations continue to restrict their broader adoption. These include uncertainties regarding long-term environmental behavior, relatively high production costs compared with conventional fertilizers, and the absence of well-defined regulatory and safety assessment frameworks in many regions. Overall, this review highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with nanofertilizer application and points to the need for further development of cost-effective formulations and standardized evaluation systems that account for their distinct environmental interactions. Full article

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

Shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss.) is of considerable nutritional and medical significance due to its strong antioxidant properties; however, no nanophytotoxicity studies have assessed whether the use of nanofertilizers would improve shallot performance, micronutrient iron (Fe) enrichment, and yield in semi-arid regions. Herein, we evaluated the effects of magnetite nanoparticles (nFe₃O₄) on shallot grown for a full lifecycle in two semi-arid regions through bulb-priming followed by foliar application and compared them with conventional ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) fertilizer and untreated control. Our results showed remarkable cellular adaptations to semi-arid climate upon nFe₃O₄ treatment as leaves displayed thickened cell walls, distinct chloroplasts featuring organized thylakoid grana and stroma, normal mitochondria, abundant starch grains, and plastoglobuli around chloroplasts compared to FeSO₄ or untreated control. At 900 mg/L nFe₃O₄, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoid increased by 27–55%, 108–126%, and 77–97%, respectively, compared to FeSO₄ applied at recommended field rate (1800 mg/L). Significant increments in bulb diameter (38–39%) and sister bulb number (300–500%) were observed upon 900 mg/L nFe₃O₄ treatment compared to FeSO₄ (1800 mg/L) and control. Furthermore, with 900 mg/L nFe₃O₄ treatment, total phenol, flavonoids, and Fe in bulbs increased by 27–46%, 29–73%, and 486–549%, respectively, compared to FeSO₄ (1800 mg/L). These findings demonstrate that bulb-priming followed by foliar application of 900 mg/L of nFe₃O₄ could significantly promote cellular adaptation, thereby improving photosynthetic efficiency, bulb yield, antioxidant activities, and Fe biofortification in shallot, and may serve as a novel approach for improving shallot production in semi-arid regions. Full article

Mitigation of abiotic stress of crops is currently one of the primary issues for modern agriculture to secure food supply. On that point, it is acknowledged that climate change is leading to an increase in temperature and solar radiation, while also contributing to prolonged drought events. In contrast, saline soil and heavy metal pollution have been globally problematic, affecting a large part of crops. In this review, we have provided an overview of the eco-physiological and molecular aspects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as a novel technology for alleviating abiotic stress in plants. It is reported that the presence of ZnO-NPs has positive benefits in physiological processes, such as photosynthetic efficiency, osmotic regulation, ionic homeostasis, and the activation of antioxidant defense systems through gene modifications and the regulation of genes that are regulated under stress conditions. These are positive results for yields, nutrition, and resistance levels in cereals, legumes, and horticultural crops. Furthermore, essential details are reported, suggesting that the addition of ZnO-NPs to crops may be involved in regulating plant metabolism. Nonetheless, we recognize that this technology poses significant challenges for validation on a large scale, particularly in uncontrolled environments. Full article