Nanoenzymes: recent advances for sustainable agricultural development

Abstract

Agricultural production is currently facing numerous abiotic and biotic stresses. To mitigate the impacts of these stresses on crop yields, conventional agrochemicals have been widely employed to support farming practices. However, these chemicals exhibit limited functionality and are prone to overuse and residue accumulation on agricultural products, leading to environmental concerns such as pollution and bioaccumulation, which may hinder the development of sustainable agriculture. These drawbacks restrict their broader application in future sustainable agricultural systems. Notably, nanozymes possess unique advantages, including enhanced stability, tunable catalytic activity, and functional versatility. They exhibit significant potential in optimizing plant growth environments, mitigating stress conditions, and enhancing crop stress resistance. As a promising alternative, nanozymes demonstrate the capability to address the limitations of conventional agrochemicals while advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Building on this progress, this review first explores the essential properties required for nanozyme applications in agriculture. It further categorizes nanozymes based on their diverse catalytic activities and discusses their roles in sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, the review addresses current challenges in the field and proposes future directions for nanozyme-based agrochemicals. The goal is to deepen readers’ understanding of recent advances in agricultural nanozymes, stimulate broader scientific interest in their potential to advance sustainable agriculture. It is also hoped to provide some constructive inspirations for subsequent scientific research.