The challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss pose significant risks to agriculture. To ensure sustainable food production and tackle these issues, an agricultural revolution is necessary. Nanotechnology offers promising solutions for enhancing agricultural sustainability, and one such approach is seed nano-priming. This technique effectively alters seed metabolism and signaling pathways, influencing not only germination and seedling establishment but also the entire plant life cycle. Extensive research has demonstrated numerous benefits of seed nano-priming, including improved plant growth, increased productivity, and enhanced nutritional quality of food. This chapter provides an overview of recent advancements in nanotechnology for seed nano-priming and explores the challenges and possibilities associated with its implementation in sustainable agriculture.
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Nanotechnology has gained considerable attention in recent years for its potential applications in various industries, including agriculture. Nanoparticles, tiny particles in the nanometer range, show promise in enhancing plant growth and development, making them valuable for sustainable agriculture. Acting as priming agents, nanoparticles can improve seed germination, increase nutrient absorption, boost plant resilience to environmental stressors, and enhance overall plant health (Nile SH et al., 2022; Rhaman MS et al., 2022; Sharma B et al., 2023; Singh VD et al., 2021; Singh A et al., 2022).
One significant advantage of nanoparticle use in agriculture is their ability to improve seed germination rates. Applying nanoparticles to seeds or seedlings enhances their ability to absorb water, resulting in faster and more consistent germination. This, in turn, leads to higher crop yields and improved plant establishment (Singh A et al., 2022). Moreover, nanoparticles can act as carriers of essential nutrients and micronutrients. Their small size and large surface area enable efficient delivery of nutrients to plants, ensuring optimal uptake. This targeted nutrient delivery system reduces nutrient losses and enhances nutrient utilization efficiency, minimizing the environmental impact of fertilizers while maximizing crop productivity (Zhang et al., 2011). Nanoparticles have also shown potential in mitigating abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity. When applied to plants, nanoparticles enhance their tolerance to these adverse conditions, enabling them to thrive. Nanoparticles function as antioxidants, protecting plant cells from oxidative damage by scavenging reactive oxygen species (Jiang HS et al, 2017; Sharma S et al., 2019). Additionally, nanoparticles improve photosynthesis efficiency and regulate stomatal behavior, allowing plants to conserve water during drought periods (Wu H et al., 2017; Jiang HS et al, 2017; Sharma S et al., 2019). In addition to their role in abiotic stress management, nanoparticles offer promise in enhancing plant resistance to pests and diseases. Some nanoparticles possess antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of pathogens and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides (Hernández‐Díaz JA et al., 2021; Al-Samarrai AM et al., 2012). Furthermore, nanoparticles can stimulate the plant's defense mechanisms, triggering a systemic acquired resistance response that enhances the plant's ability to defend against pests and diseases (Al-Samarrai AM et al., 2012).
The integration of nanoparticles in sustainable agriculture holds potential for addressing pressing challenges faced by the global farming community. By improving seed germination, nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and disease resistance, nanoparticles can contribute to increased crop yields, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced food security (Wang D et al., 2022). However, further research is necessary to fully comprehend the long-term effects and potential risks associated with nanoparticle use in agriculture (Singh A et al., 2022).