Nanoparticles in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Resilience and Productivity against Abiotic Stresses

Abstract

The agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges to ensure food security as the global population soars and climate change intensifies. Abiotic stresses are well-known for diminishing agricultural output and constraining crop yield generation worldwide. While conventional methods for managing crop stress fall short of meeting global demands, the integration of nanotechnology in agriculture offers a sustainable approach, providing a cornerstone for resilient and resource-efficient crop production in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Through targeted delivery systems and tailored formulations, nanoparticles exhibit the potential to enhance plant physiological processes, nutrient uptake efficiency, and stress tolerance mechanisms. This chapter describes the potential role of nanoparticles in abiotic stress management and activation of plant defence-related genes, improving the yield and quality of crops by combating nutrient deficiency and inducing stress tolerance. Moreover, it also discusses the potent molecular mechanisms upon application of nanoparticles for inducing tolerance to various abiotic stresses. However, while nanoparticle-based approaches hold great promise, their implementation also raises concerns regarding environmental impact, toxicity, regulatory frameworks, and socioeconomic implications.