The impact of nanomaterials on plant health: a review of exposure, toxicity, and control

Abstract

With the increasing application of nanotechnology, nanomaterials (NMs), especially metals or metal oxides, inevitably enter various environmental media and then enter into plants. Understanding the impacts of NMs on plants is critical, as their absorption may disrupt agricultural productivity, compromise food safety, and threaten ecosystem stability through bioaccumulation. Studies have shown that some metals or metal oxides such as titanium dioxide are beneficial to plant growth at low concentrations, but toxic to plants at high concentrations. Therefore, the paper investigates the sources, pathways for plant absorption, toxic doses, toxic mechanisms, and management and treatment strategies of NMs. Research has indicated a strong correlation between the concentration of NMs and their toxicity to plant growth, with the link changing depending on the NMs' kind, size, shape, and plant species, besides, co-contaminant effects of NMs can directly or indirectly affect plants and the environment. The key components of NMs' toxic mechanism are oxidative stress, physiological impacts on plants, and physical damage. Safety evaluation, surface modification, sensible application, and monitoring are some of the pertinent management and governance strategies that must be created in order to lessen the detrimental effects of NMs on plants and the environment. To sum up, this review provides valuable information for assessing the phytotoxicity of nanomaterials as well as guidelines and tactics for managing nanotechnology in agriculture in a way that promotes sustainability.