Nano‐enabled stress‐smart agriculture: Can nanotechnology deliver drought and salinity‐smart crops?

Abstract

Salinity and drought stress substantially decrease crop yield and superiority, directly threatening the food supply needed to meet the rising food needs of the growing total population. Nanotechnology is a step towards improving agricultural output and stress tolerance by improving the efficacy of inputs in agriculture via targeted delivery, controlled release, and enhanced solubility and adhesion while also reducing significant damage. The direct application of nanoparticles (NPs)/nanomaterials can boost the performance and effectiveness of physio‐biochemical and molecular mechanisms in plants under stress conditions, leading to advanced stress tolerance. Therefore, we presented the effects and plant responses to stress conditions, and also explored the potential of nanomaterials for improving agricultural systems, and discussed the advantages of applying NPs at various developmental stages to alleviate the negative effects of salinity and drought stress. Moreover, we feature the recent innovations in state‐of‐the‐art nanobiotechnology, specifically NP‐mediated genome editing via CRISPR/Cas system, to develop stress‐smart crops. However, further investigations are needed to unravel the role of nanobiotechnology in addressing climate change challenges in modern agricultural systems. We propose that combining nanobiotechnology, genome editing and speed breeding techniques could enable the designing of climate‐smart cultivars (particularly bred or genetically modified plant varieties) to meet the food security needs of the rising world population.

Heat Waves Coupled with Nanoparticles Induce Yield and Nutritional Losses in Rice by Regulating Stomatal Closure

“…However, under HW conditions, CeO 2 NPs induced stomatal closure, decreasing stomatal conductance by 67.6% (Figures S4 and b,c). NPs can modulate stomatal closure under abiotic stress by increasing the content of ABA, a phytohormone recognized as a key modulator of stomatal closure . Compared with the HW control, HWs + CeO 2 NPs significantly increased the ABA content by 64.0% (Figure d).…”

“…Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs), classified as lanthanide metal oxides, have been applied in foliar spraying for the promotion of sustainable and precise agricultural practices . CeO 2 NPs have been incorporated into agricultural practices, resulting in various positive outcomes, including increased crop yields (when added as micronutrient supplements), , increased salt tolerance in diverse crops, − efficient mitigation of fungal infection in crops, − and preservation of photosynthesis and enhancement of grain yields under drought stress conditions . The dual valence states of Ce (the Ce 3+ and Ce 4+ oxidation states) on the NP surface give CeO 2 NPs the capacity to function as either antioxidants or pro-oxidants.…”

Unveiling Innovative Approaches to Mitigate Metals/Metalloids Toxicity for Sustainable Agriculture

“…Nanotechnology has recently been used to mitigate the adverse effects of stresses (Raza et al, 2023c). Nanoparticles (NPs) are very small particles, sized between 1 and 100 nm.…”

Influence of Silver Nanoparticles on the Metabolites of Two Transgenic Soybean Varieties: An NMR-Based Metabolomics Approach

“…The increasing global demand for soybeans and their derivatives has prompted research initiatives that incorporate nanobiotechnology, genome editing, and rapid breeding techniques. These endeavors seek to develop smart cultivars capable of meeting the food security needs of our growing global population . Developing new genotypes with enhanced yields, increased tolerance to drought and diseases, and shorter growth periods offer significant advantages for agricultural production.…”

“…In response to ROS, plants activate the synthesis of antioxidants, enzymes, and metabolites. This response also involves changes in the physiological and biochemical conditions governing seed germination. , …”