Plant-nano interactions: A new insight of nano-phytotoxicity

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry 2024-05, Vol.210, p.108646-108646, Article 108646
• Main Authors: Biswas, Ankita, Pal, Suparna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants - metabolism; Defence mechanism; Genotoxicity; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanotoxicity; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Phytotoxicity; Plants; Plants - drug effects; Plants - metabolism; Stress, Physiological - drug effects
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108646

Whether nanoparticles (NPs) are boon or bane for society has been a centre of in-depth debate and key consideration in recent times. Exclusive physicochemical properties like small size, large surface area-to-volume ratio, robust catalytic activity, immense surface energy, magnetism and superior biocompatibility make NPs obligatory in many scientific, biomedical and industrial ventures. Nano-enabled products are newer entrants in the present era. To attenuate environmental stress and maximize crop yields, scientists are tempted to introduce NPs as augmented supplements in agriculture. The feasible approaches for NPs delivery are irrigation, foliar spraying or seed priming. Internalization of excessive NPs to plants endorses negative implications at higher trophic levels via biomagnification. The characteristics of NPs (dimensions, type, solubility, surface charge), applied concentration and duration of exposure are prime factors conferring nanotoxicity in plants. Several reports approved NPs persuaded toxicity can precisely mimic abiotic stress effects. The signature effects of nanotoxicity include poor root outgrowth, biomass reduction, oxidative stress evolution, lipid peroxidation, biomolecular damage, perturbed antioxidants, genotoxicity and nutrient imbalance in plants. NPs stress impels mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade and urges stress responsive defence gene expression to counteract stress in plants. Exogenous supplementation of nitric oxide (NO), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), phytohormones, and melatonin (ME) is novel strategy to circumvent nanotoxicity. Briefly, this review appraises plants’ physio-biochemical responses and adaptation scenarios to endure NPs stress. As NPs stress represents large-scale contaminants, advanced research is indispensable to avert indiscriminate NPs usage for synchronizing nano-security in multinational markets. [Display omitted] •NPs exert a considerable dose-dependent impact on plant growth and productivity.•Nanotoxicity affects various physio-biochemical parameters including seed germination, biomass, nutritional quality, metabolites, and antioxidants.•One of the potential toxic effects of NPs is oxidative stress.•Plants activate MAPK signaling cascade to trigger defence gene expression for combating stress.•Exogenous application of NO, AMF, and phytohormones is the modern strategy to minimize nanotoxicity.