Recent trends and perspectives in the application of metal and metal oxide nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry 2023-09, Vol.202, p.107960, Article 107960
• Main Authors: Hyder, Sajjad, Ul-Nisa, Mushfaq, Shahzadi, Shahid, Humaira, Gohar, Faryal, Gondal, Amjad Shahzad, Riaz, Nadia, Younas, Afifa, Santos-Villalobos, Sergio de los, Montoya-Martínez, Amelia C., Sehar, Anam, Latif, Fariha, Rizvi, Zarrin Fatima, Iqbal, Rashid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Green and biological methods; Metal-based nanoparticles; Nano-fertilizers; Nano-pesticides; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107960

Sustainable ecosystem management leads to the use of eco-friendly agricultural techniques for crop production. One of them is the use of metal and metal oxide nanomaterials and nanoparticles, which have proven to be a valuable option for the improvement of agricultural food systems. Moreover, the biological synthesis of these nanoparticles, from plants, bacteria, and fungi, also contributes to their eco-friendly and sustainable characteristics. Nanoparticles, which vary in size from 1 to 100 nm have a variety of mechanisms that are safer and more efficient than conventional fertilizers. Their usage as fertilizers and insecticides in agriculture is gaining favor in the scientific community to maximize crop output. More studies in this field will increase our understanding of this new technology and its broad acceptance in terms of performance, affordability, and environmental protection, as certain nanoparticles may outperform conventional fertilizers and insecticides. Accordingly, to the information gathered in this review, nanoparticles show remarkable potential for enhancing crop production, improving soil quality, and protecting the environment, however, metal and metal oxide NPs are not widely employed in agriculture. Many features of nanoparticles are yet left over, and it is necessary to uncover them. In this sense, this review article provides an overview of various types of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles used in agriculture, their characterization and synthesis, the recent research on them, and their possible application for the improvement of crop productivity in a sustainable manner. •Sustainable ecosystem management leads to the use of eco-friendly agricultural techniques for crop production.•Biological technologies are gaining popularity due to low energy usage, low cost, stability, eco-friendliness & feasibility.•Nanotechnology is an effective approach to overcome stress in plants, by adaptation certain biochemical & physical modifications.•Nanoparticles show promise in nonfertilizer use due to size, bioavailability, translocation, accumulation, and mineral absorption.•Nanoparticles may beat conventional fertilizers and insecticides, boosting nanotechnology's performance, affordability, & environmental protection.