A Review of Sustainable Use of Biogenic Nanoscale Agro-Materials to Enhance Stress Tolerance and Nutritional Value of Plants

Abstract

Climate change is more likely to have a detrimental effect on the world’s productive assets. Several undesirable conditions and practices, including extreme temperature, drought, and uncontrolled use of agrochemicals, result in stresses that strain agriculture. In addition, nutritional inadequacies in food crops are wreaking havoc on human health, especially in rural regions of less developed countries. This could be because plants are unable to absorb the nutrients in conventional fertilizers, or these fertilizers have an inappropriate or unbalanced nutrient composition. Chemical fertilizers have been used for centuries and have considerably increased crop yields. However, they also disrupt soil quality and structure, eventually impacting the entire ecosystem. To address the situation, it is necessary to develop advanced materials that can release nutrients to targeted points in the plant-soil environment or appropriate receptors on the leaf in the case of foliar applications. Recently, nanotechnology-based interventions have been strongly encouraged to meet the world’s growing food demand and to promote food security in an environmentally friendly manner. Biological approaches for the synthesis of nanoscale agro-materials have become a promising area of research, with a wide range of product types such as nanopesticides, nanoinsecticides, nanoherbicides, nanobactericides/fungicides, bio-conjugated nanocomplexes, and nanoemulsions emerging therefrom. These materials are more sustainable and target-oriented than conventional agrochemicals. In this paper, we reviewed the literature on major abiotic and biotic stresses that are detrimental to plant growth and productivity. We comprehensively discussed the different forms of nanoscale agro-materials and provided an overview of biological approaches in nano-enabled strategies that can efficiently alleviate plant biotic and abiotic stresses while potentially enhancing the nutritional values of plants.

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“…Beyond protection, nanomaterials play a pivotal role in enhancing plant growth and nutrient uptake . Silica nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, for instance, boost photosynthesis and nutrient absorption, influencing plant yield positively . Zinc oxide nanoparticles and iron oxide nanoparticles contribute to improved nutrient availability .…”

“…41 Silica nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, for instance, boost photosynthesis and nutrient absorption, influencing plant yield positively. 42 Zinc oxide nanoparticles and iron oxide nanoparticles contribute to improved nutrient availability. 36 In addition to their direct applications in agriculture, nanomaterials can also be used in the development of biosensors and diagnostic tools for plant disease monitoring and detection.…”

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“…Moreover, nutrient imbalances can impact grain quality and nutritional composition, compromising the nutritional value of harvested cereals. For example, zinc deficiency in cereals can lead to reduced zinc content in the grain, affecting the nutritional status of consumers who rely on cereals as a dietary staple [172,173].…”

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“…Many farmers' lack of soil evaluation before fertilizing results in long-term reliance on inorganic fertilizers, leading to deficiencies in secondary and micronutrients in both soil and crops. Moreover, relying solely on inorganic fertilizers reduces the organic matter content in the soil, exacerbating soil acidity (Giri et al 2023). These issues highlight the need for sustainable and balanced fertilizer practices to mitigate the negative consequences of excessive use of conventional fertilizers.…”