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article · Plant Stress

In-depth exploration of nanoparticles for enhanced nutrient use efficiency and abiotic stresses management: Present insights and future horizons

202495 citationsOpen accessKafr el-Sheikh University

In plain language

Nanoparticles and nanofertilisers offer sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilisers and chemical pesticides by improving crop yields while maintaining quality. Because nanoparticles can penetrate plant surfaces effectively, nanofertilisers boost nutrient use efficiency and decrease excess nutrient run-off, helping to limit ecological damage. Emerging precision technologies also facilitate the controlled release of agrochemical agents and targeted delivery of bioactive molecules to crops. Furthermore, nanoparticles support plant resilience against heavy metal toxicity and other abiotic stresses intensified by climate change. However, their use presents physiological risks. Depositions of nanoparticles on plant cell surfaces or within cell organelles can trigger oxidative stress symptoms in higher plants. Safe adoption therefore requires a clear understanding of nanoparticle formation mechanisms, plant interactions, and their ultimate biological fate.

Key takeaways

  • Nanofertilisers improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce environmental damage compared to traditional fertilisers by enhancing absorption through plant surfaces.
  • Precision techniques enable the controlled release of agrochemicals and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds.
  • Nanoparticles help protect plants against heavy metal toxicity and abiotic stresses linked to climate change.
  • Accumulation of nanoparticles on plant surfaces or inside organelles can cause harmful oxidative stress.

Why it matters

Conventional agricultural fertilisers frequently create nutrient surpluses that damage ecosystems, while climate change increases crop exposure to severe environmental stresses. Nanofertilisers offer a more precise, cost-effective way to nourish and protect crops. Clarifying how nanoparticles interact with plant cells enables the development of agricultural treatments that support sustainable food production without generating unintended toxic side effects.

Commercialisation angle

The findings point towards applications in advanced crop nutrition and protection, specifically controlled-release nanofertilisers and targeted delivery systems for agrochemicals. The direct beneficiaries would be fertiliser manufacturers, agricultural input companies, and crop growers. As the abstract highlights persistent risks of oxidative stress alongside performance benefits, the technology represents early to intermediate stage research requiring refined safety standards before real-world commercial deployment can occur.

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Abstract

• Nanotechnology offers innovative approaches to enhance agricultural productivity, leveraging unique nanoparticle (NP) properties for increased yields while maintaining quality. • Nanotechnology provides eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions as alternatives to traditional fertilizers and pesticides. • Cutting-edge applications of NPs in agriculture are explored, focusing on their role as nano-fertilizers (NFs) for nutrient management and stress mitigation. • Precision Augmentation via ANT: A breakthrough technology in agricultural precision, ANT enables precise delivery of bioactive molecules and controlled release of agrochemical agents. • NFs mitigate environmental harm from traditional fertilizers by reducing nutrient surplus and enhancing nutrient utilization efficiency, promoting ecosystem health. • Despite the promise of NFs, potential risks like NP deposition on plant surfaces leading to oxidative stress symptoms are acknowledged, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to ensure safe and effective utilization amidst climate challenges. Nanotechnology is an innovative method of elevating agricultural output without sacrificing quality due to nanoparticles (NPs) unique characteristics and numerous potential uses. It is also nature-friendly, advantageous to living organisms, and cost-effective. Sustainable agricultural practices are gaining attention on NPs and nanofertilizers (NFs) as practical substitutes for traditional fertilizers and pesticides that nanotechnology could surpass some of the issues with traditional farming methods. There should be an emphasis on cutting-edge studies of NPs applications in agriculture. This article presents a positive perspective on the mechanisms leading to the formation of NPs and their application as NFs for managing nutrients in agriculture. We also share up-to-date findings on NPs interactions with plants, the fate of NPs and potential risks associated with them in plants. The as well as on the role of NPs nanomaterials in decreasing abiotic and heavy metal toxicity stress. NFs help reduce the environmental damage caused by traditional, inorganic fertilizers. Due to their enhanced responsiveness and ability to pierce the epidermis, NFs can decrease nutrient surplus while increasing nutrient usage efficiency. It was also established that NPs are essential for protecting against abiotic stress. However, some studies have shown that NPs are harmful to higher plants because the NPs they are deposited upon the surface of cells or in the cell organelles, leading to oxidative stress symptoms. In this review article, we explore the utilization of NPs for nutrient and abiotic stress management for crop production and protection during the climate change era.

Research topics

  • Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications
  • Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
  • Selenium in Biological Systems

Sustainable Development Goals

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DOI: 10.1016/j.stress.2024.100576

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