Effect of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Physiology and on Soil Microbes

Abstract

Great use of nanotechnology for potential benefits and novel applications has been developed in biotechnology and agriculture. Fertilizers have a critical role in plant growth and metabolism, but at most concentrations, applied fertilizers are unavailable to the plants because of leaching, runoff, and degradation. Nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulate nutrients, as chemical fertilizers that are released on demand for plant growth and development. Several studies have revealed that specific (low-dose) concentrations of NPs, foliar spray/irrigation, and carbon nanotubes significantly enhanced plant growth (plant height, root length, number of leaves, fruit size and production, seed germination, fresh shoot and root biomass), physiology (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid content, photosynthesis, carbohydrates, formation of photosynthetic pigments), oxidants, antioxidants, and developed plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress. There is further need to explore NP effects on the photosynthetic mechanism, their activity beneath plant roots, and an urgent need to develop target-specific, controlled release of NPs as fertilizers to decrease the loss and spread of NPs into other environmental expanses.