Nanobiotechnology and microbial influence on cold adaptation in plants

Abstract

Cold stress has an immediate impact on plant structure and function. A large number of free radicals cause oxidative stress in plants. Cold stress causes altered membrane permeability, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage. It denatures enzymes and disrupts plant metabolism. Different methods are being investigated for acclimatizing plants subjected to cold stress. Nanobiotechnology and bacterial strains are growing agricultural strategies. Nanoparticles’ (NPs) unique qualities (small size, high mobility, biocompatibility, low cost, and increased reactivity) make them ideal candidates in agriculture. NP and bacterial applications maintain plastid structure and function, enhance antioxidant activities, secondary metabolites, and hormone expression, and reduce electrolyte leakage. They increase the number and content of proteins involved in oxidation–reduction reactions, hormone pathways, stress signaling, and reactive oxygen species detoxification under cold stress conditions. Chitosan, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide NPs can help plants with cold stress. Meanwhile, bacterial strains in the genus Bacillus and Pseudomonas have been tested for cold tolerance. These strategies also upregulate antifreeze proteins, which are essential for the storage of plant products. Nano-bio-fertilizers should be prepared for the sustainable development of plants under low temperatures.

Keywords

• abiotic stress
• plant physiology
• gene regulation
• nanobiotechnology
• cold stress
• chilling stress
• plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria