Nanoparticles as a Tool for Alleviating Plant Stress: Mechanisms, Implications, and Challenges
Ankita Kumari,
Ashish Kumar Gupta,
Shivika Sharma,
Vikash S. Jadon,
Vikas Sharma,
Se Chul Chun,
Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
Affiliations
Ankita Kumari
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Domain, School of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-Jalandhar 144411, Punjab, India
Ashish Kumar Gupta
ICAR—National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
Shivika Sharma
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Domain, School of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-Jalandhar 144411, Punjab, India
Vikash S. Jadon
School of Biosciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, JollyGrant, Dehradun 248016, Uttarakhand, India
Vikas Sharma
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Domain, School of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-Jalandhar 144411, Punjab, India
Se Chul Chun
Department of Environmental Health Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
Department of Environmental Health Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Plants, being sessile, are continuously exposed to varietal environmental stressors, which consequently induce various bio-physiological changes in plants that hinder their growth and development. Oxidative stress is one of the undesirable consequences in plants triggered due to imbalance in their antioxidant defense system. Biochemical studies suggest that nanoparticles are known to affect the antioxidant system, photosynthesis, and DNA expression in plants. In addition, they are known to boost the capacity of antioxidant systems, thereby contributing to the tolerance of plants to oxidative stress. This review study attempts to present the overview of the role of nanoparticles in plant growth and development, especially emphasizing their role as antioxidants. Furthermore, the review delves into the intricate connections between nanoparticles and plant signaling pathways, highlighting their influence on gene expression and stress-responsive mechanisms. Finally, the implications of nanoparticle-assisted antioxidant strategies in sustainable agriculture, considering their potential to enhance crop yield, stress tolerance, and overall plant resilience, are discussed.
