Nanoparticle Interactions in Plant Growth and Physiology

Nanoparticles—engineered materials with dimensions typically below 100 nanometres—are increasingly explored for their impact on plant systems. At this scale, particles exhibit distinctive surface-to-volume ratios and reactivity, enabling them to influence nutrient uptake, stress tolerance and metabolic pathways. Interactions between plants and nanoparticles can be beneficial, neutral or adverse, depending on concentration, composition and exposure route. Positive outcomes include enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, stimulation of antioxidant defences and improved water-use efficiency under abiotic stress. Conversely, excessive doses or unsuitable surface chemistries may induce oxidative stress, genotoxicity or disruption of root-microbe symbioses. Understanding these dual effects is vital for the development of nano-enabled agrochemicals and for assessing environmental safety. Recent work has revealed that nanoparticles can modulate hormonal signals such as melatonin, alter gene expression governing carbon and nitrogen assimilation and influence the profile of secondary metabolites, with implications for crop quality and resilience. The global significance of this research spans sustainable intensification of agriculture, remediation of contaminated soils and mitigation of climate-induced stresses.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can mitigate salinity stress in medicinal herbs by enhancing antioxidative capacity and secondary metabolite production. In one series of experiments, foliar or root application of optimised nanoparticle concentrations restored key agronomic traits under high salt regimes, boosting essential-oil yield and modulating enzyme activities associated with reactive oxygen species scavenging. Treated plants exhibited lower hydrogen peroxide accumulation, higher superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and shifts in volatile compound composition that correlated with improved drought and salinity tolerance. These findings underscore the potential of tailored nanoparticle treatments to reinforce physiological homeostasis and maintain crop performance under adverse environmental conditions.

Nanoparticle Interactions in Plant Growth and Physiology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle interactions in plant growth and physiology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanoparticle: Ultrafine material with at least one dimension below 100 nm, possessing unique surface and quantum properties.

Polystyrene nanoplastic: Synthetic polymer fragments in the nanometre range derived from degradation of plastic materials.

Melatonin signalling: Hormone-mediated pathway in plants that regulates growth, stress responses and metabolic balance.

Oxidative stress: Cellular damage arising from excessive reactive oxygen species that overwhelm antioxidant defences.

Foliar application: Technique of delivering nutrients or protectants directly onto leaf surfaces for rapid absorption.

References

1. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles alleviates polystyrene nanoplastics induced growth inhibition by modulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism via melatonin signaling in maize. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2024).
2. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) promote growth and ameliorate salinity stress effects on essential oil profile and biochemical attributes of Dracocephalum moldavica. Scientific Reports (2020).
3. Salt Stress Mitigation via the Foliar Application of Chitosan-Functionalized Selenium and Anatase Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni). Molecules (2021).
4. Nanotitania Exposure Causes Alterations in Physiological, Nutritional and Stress Responses in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Frontiers in Plant Science (2017).
5. Evidence of Phytotoxicity and Genotoxicity in Hordeum vulgare L. Exposed to CeO2 and TiO2 Nanoparticles. Frontiers in Plant Science (2015).
6. Iron Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Effects on Plant Performance and Root Associated Microbes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2015).