Synergistic impact of nanomaterials and plant probiotics in agriculture: A tale of two-way strategy for long-term sustainability

Abstract

Modern agriculture is primarily focused on the massive production of cereals and other food-based crops in a sustainable manner in order to fulfill the food demands of an ever-increasing global population. However, intensive agricultural practices, rampant use of agrochemicals, and other environmental factors result in soil fertility degradation, environmental pollution, disruption of soil biodiversity, pest resistance, and a decline in crop yields. Thus, experts are shifting their focus to other eco-friendly and safer methods of fertilization in order to ensure agricultural sustainability. Indeed, the importance of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, also determined as “plant probiotics (PPs),” has gained widespread recognition, and their usage as biofertilizers is being actively promoted as a means of mitigating the harmful effects of agrochemicals. As bio-elicitors, PPs promote plant growth and colonize soil or plant tissues when administered in soil, seeds, or plant surface and are used as an alternative means to avoid heavy use of agrochemicals. In the past few years, the use of nanotechnology has also brought a revolution in agriculture due to the application of various nanomaterials (NMs) or nano-based fertilizers to increase crop productivity. Given the beneficial properties of PPs and NMs, these two can be used in tandem to maximize benefits. However, the use of combinations of NMs and PPs, or their synergistic use, is in its infancy but has exhibited better crop-modulating effects in terms of improvement in crop productivity, mitigation of environmental stress (drought, salinity, etc.), restoration of soil fertility, and strengthening of the bioeconomy. In addition, a proper assessment of nanomaterials is necessary before their application, and a safer dose of NMs should be applicable without showing any toxic impact on the environment and soil microbial communities. The combo of NMs and PPs can also be encapsulated within a suitable carrier, and this method aids in the controlled and targeted delivery of entrapped components and also increases the shelf life of PPs. However, this review highlights the functional annotation of the combined impact of NMs and PPs on sustainable agricultural production in an eco-friendly manner.

Synergistic interactions of nanoparticles and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enhancing soil-plant systems: a multigenerational perspective

“…Research studies on various intra- and extracellular enzymes have also been used to evaluate the potential benefits of applying NPs and PGPR simultaneously. Soil urease and dehydrogenase enzymes activity was enhanced by applying PGPR and NPs compared to single-use of any of them ( Alharbi et al., 2023 ; Upadhayay et al., 2023 ). Jabborova et al.…”

“…Adding specific substances to the soil enhances its capacity to sustain plant life ( Urra et al., 2019 ; Rubin et al., 2023 ; Kumari et al., 2023b ). Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and nanomaterials (NMs) or nanoparticles (NPs) are under consideration as a novel approach to boost crop productivity and soil fertility ( El-Ramady et al., 2022 ; Upadhayay et al., 2023 ; Rajput et al., 2023a ; Kumari et al., 2024 ). Several research studies have demonstrated numerous benefits that soil organic amendments may provide, including better soil texture, higher soil fertility, restored soil health, and, ultimately, higher crop yield ( Urra et al., 2019 ; Rani et al., 2023 ).…”

“…Because of the serious risk factors to human health caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotic residues, and antibiotic-resistant genes that exist in agricultural organic amendments, such contaminants in emerging pollutants are still a major problem ( Upadhayay et al., 2023 ). Soil supplements should have attributes including ecological safeguards and negatively affect the fertility of the soil, soil composition, or the enviro-ecosystem ( Garbowski et al., 2022 ; Rajput et al., 2023a ).…”

Editorial: Emerging contaminants and their effect on agricultural crops

“…Nanomaterials and nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted the global attention for their widespread application in almost all sectors including modern agricultural practices ( Zain et al., 2022 ; Chauhan and Gill, 2023 ). Nano-agrochemicals have vast potential in complementing the growth, development and yield of crop plants along with resilience to variety of biotic and abiotic stress factors ( Liliane and Charles, 2020 ; Shahzad et al., 2021 ; Beig et al., 2022 ; Upadhayay et al., 2023 ). Among NPs, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) are reported to be widely used NPs in paints, sunscreen, paper, antibacterial fiber, fine ceramics, plastic, food additives due to their anti-UV, antibacterial, self-cleaning, anti-aging, anti-fading, chemical inertness, photocatalytic activity ( Hendren et al., 2011 ; Kovačič et al., 2022 ).…”

In vivo application of potent probiotics for enhancing potato growth and controlling Ralstonia solanacearum and Fusarium oxysporum infections

“…Plant growth-promoting microorganisms, also identified as "Plant Probiotics (PPs)", have gained recognition. As bio-elicitors, PPs promote plant growth and colonize soil or plant tissues when administered in soil, seeds, or plant surface and are used as an alternative means to avoid heavy use of agrochemicals (Upadhayay et al 2023 ). In addition, agrochemicals have shown a significant increase in crop yields in the past few decades, but adverse effects have emerged later from overuse of chemical fertilizers.…”