Nanoparticle Interactions with Terrestrial Plants
Summary
Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) engage with terrestrial plants via complex physicochemical and biological pathways. Upon release into soil or onto foliage, NPs may adhere to root surfaces or leaf cuticles, penetrate cell walls through apoplastic or symplastic routes, and enter cells by endocytosis or diffusion. Their ultimate fate within the plant depends on size, chemical composition, surface charge and coating, which influence uptake efficiency, translocation through xylem and phloem, and accumulation in edible tissues. Within plant cells, NPs can induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupt membrane integrity, alter gene expression and impair photosynthetic machinery, leading to phytotoxic effects such as reduced germination, stunted growth and genotoxic damage. Conversely, certain NPs have been tailored as nanofertilisers or foliar nutrients to improve nutrient use efficiency, enhance stress tolerance and increase crop yields. Understanding these dual roles is critical for safeguarding food security, guiding sustainable agricultural practices and assessing environmental risks associated with NP exposure in agro-ecosystems.
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Nanoparticle Interactions with Terrestrial Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle interactions with terrestrial plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Nanoparticle: A particle with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nm, often exhibiting unique reactivity and transport properties.
Phytotoxicity: The capacity of a substance to inhibit plant growth or cause physiological harm.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that can damage cellular components.
Bioaccumulation: The buildup of substances, such as metals or NPs, within an organism over time.
Translocation: Movement of substances from roots to shoots or between plant tissues via vascular systems.
Endocytosis: Cellular process by which cells internalise particles or molecules by engulfing them in membrane vesicles.
References
- Toxicity and Uptake of CuO Nanoparticles: Evaluation of an Emerging Nanofertilizer on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Plant. Sustainability (2022).
- Dose-Dependent Physiological and Transcriptomic Responses of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to Copper Oxide Nanoparticles—Insights into the Phytotoxicity Mechanisms. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
- Differential responses of maize (Zea mays) at the physiological, biomolecular, and nutrient levels when cultivated in the presence of nano or bulk ZnO or CuO or Zn2+ or Cu2+ ions. Journal of Hazardous Materials (2021).
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