Opportunities and challenges of phyto-nanotechnology

In recent years, applications of nanotechnology in plant systems, i.e., phyto-nanotechnology, have received increasing attention. Phyto-nanotechnology allows target-specific delivery of nanomaterials to agricultural crops and other plants, which may enhance or add plant functions, and achieve environmental monitoring and resistance to pollution. Therefore, phyto-nanotechnology has great potential to revolutionize agriculture and general plant sciences. Despite these promising perspectives, challenges are also pressing, including the impacts of diverse plant cellular structures on nanomaterial delivery and the induction of various levels of phytotoxicity to plants. In this perspective, we will cover the promising applications and major obstacles of plant-based phyto-nanotechnology and provide our insights into this dynamic and exciting area.