Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)
Induce Resistance in Crops against Abiotic Stress: A Review
Sumiyya Iftikhar1,
Fenliang Zhao2, Rumsha Hassan1, Manal Nadeem Khan1,
Fakhra Asad1, Momal Nawab1, Iqra Fatima1,
Saira Parveen1, Sadaf Gulzar1, Sajal Fatima1
and Muhammad Nawaz1*
1Department of
Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
2Environment
and Plant Protection Institute (EPPI) Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural
Sciences (CATAS), Haikou, Hainan, P.R. China
*For correspondence: mnawaz@bzu.edu.pk
Received 24 August 2023;
Accepted 13 February 2024; Published 18 March 2024
Abstract
Agriculture, vital for global sustenance, faces
unprecedented challenges such as climate change, soil degradation and various
abiotic stresses. This review explores the potential of silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) in addressing agricultural challenges, focusing on heavy metal
contamination, salinity, drought and temperature stress. AgNPs, known for their
unique properties, demonstrate effectiveness in adsorbing heavy metals and
reducing their bioavailability in soils. Their application in nanocomposites
and nano fertilizers ensures sustained remediation effects and enhanced soil
microbial activity. Under heavy metal stress, AgNPs positively impact plant physiology,
enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and promoting root development, shoot
biomass and overall plant growth. Additionally, AgNPs contribute to mitigating
salinity stress by modulating carbohydrates and protein synthesis and improving
antioxidant enzyme activity. Noteworthy is their ability to increase seed
germination in salt-stress conditions. AgNPs also show promise in alleviating
drought stress, preserving water balance, and enhancing growth traits.
Furthermore, AgNPs exhibit effectiveness in mitigating temperature stress, and
improving plant parameters in high-temperature conditions. Their versatile role
in influencing plant development makes them promising tools for sustainable and
resilient crop production. However, careful consideration of potential risks,
including ecosystem accumulation and unintended consequences, is imperative.
Ongoing research and thorough risk assessments are crucial for the safe and
effective application of AgNPs in diverse environmental conditions, ensuring
their contribution to sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation. © 2024 Friends Science Publishers
Keywords:
Silver nanoparticles; Mitigation; Abiotic stress; Plants; Heavy metals
Introduction
Agriculture, the backbone of many developing economies,
is facing an extraordinary challenge as the global population is projected to
reach nine billion by 2050. The pressing issues of climate change, soil
degradation, nutrient deficiencies, disease outbreaks, urbanization, pollution
and industrialization threaten the sustainability of agricultural practices
and, consequently, global food production (Godfray and Garnett 2014; Manjunatha
et al. 2016; Fatima et al. 2020). Similarly, the impact of heavy
metals, drought, and temperature fluctuations in agriculture disrupt plant growth,
soil health, and overall crop productivity, posing significant challenges to
global food security (Zulfiqar et al. 2019; Jalil and Ansari 2020).
Meeting the demands of this growing population within the constraints of
limited resources and a compromised environment requires innovative solutions.
The application of nanotechnology in agriculture emerges as a promising avenue
to address these challenges. Nanotechnology involves the manipulation and
application of matter at the nanoscale, with nanoparticles ranging from 0.1 to
100 nm (Singh and Kumar 2023). Among these nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs), with their unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, have
gained prominence in various industries, including medicine, food, healthcare,
and consumer goods (Gurunathan et al. 2015). However, the synthesis of
AgNPs is critical to their effectiveness in different applications. Traditional
physical and chemical methods are often expensive and risky. In response,
researchers have turned to biologically synthesized AgNPs, utilizing natural
resources like plant leaves, stems, bark, and roots for novel metals such as
platinum, gold, and silver (Vadakkan et al. 2024). This eco-friendly
approach not only ensures excellent production, solubility, and stability but
also aligns with the imperative of environmental sustainability (Gurunathan et
al. 2015). The connection between nanotechnology and agriculture becomes particularly
relevant in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions and an
expanding population. Abiotic stressors, intensified by climate change, pose a
significant threat to global food security. These stressors encompass a range
of challenges, including altered growth and development of plants, disruptions
in gas exchange rates, and the exacerbation of abiotic conditions (Latef et
al. 2017; Kim et al. 2019). In this context, AgNPs present
themselves as potential game-changers. Not only do they possess distinctive
physicochemical properties, but they also exhibit antibacterial actions,
setting them apart from other nanoparticles (Mohamed et al. 2017). The
ability of AgNPs to address multiple challenges simultaneously makes them a
compelling solution for enhancing agricultural sustainability. This review
delves into how abiotic stressors challenge agriculture and explores the
potential of AgNPs in mitigating these challenges.
Impacts of abiotic stress on plants
Abiotic stress encompasses a range of environmental
factors that can adversely affect plant growth, development, and overall
well-being. These stressors include, but are not limited to, extremes in
temperature, salinity, heavy metal accumulation and drought (Table 1; Fig. 1–2).
Such abiotic stresses have become a focal point of research due to their
substantial impacts on agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. In
understanding the multifaceted impacts of abiotic stress on plants, researchers
aim to develop strategies for crop improvement, environmental sustainability
and resilience in the face of ongoing climate challenges. These efforts are
crucial for ensuring the future health and productivity of plant ecosystems
amid a changing global environment.
In recent
times, the buildup of heavy metals in soil has become a serious worry,
especially in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization and
industrialization (Zhao et al. 2015; Zhou et al. 2017; Yang et
al. 2020). This concern has gained global attention due to its potential impact
on the long-term health of agroecosystems, affecting around 20% of the world's
land and disrupting global food productivity (Alekseenko et al. 2018;
Wang et al. 2018). Heavy metal contamination affects about 2.5 billion
hectares of agricultural land worldwide, with varying concentrations based on
regional industrial and agricultural activities (Feng et al. 2019). Even
trace amounts of these toxic metals can be harmful to various life forms,
raising concerns about phytotoxicity (Ahlam et al. 2021). The
accumulation of heavy metals in plant cells can result in growth inhibition,
plant mortality, and the subsequent release of these metals into the
environment through volatilization. This, in turn, affects various plant
physiological processes, morphological characteristics, biochemical
composition, and ultimately reduces crop yields (Dixit et al. 2015). Different crops,
including rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.),
barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) are
susceptible to heavy metal contamination with varying impacts on their growth
due to disruptions in essential physiological processes and nutrient uptake mechanisms (Ali et al.
2013; Ditta et al. 2021). The severity of these impacts depends on
factors such as the type of metal, its concentration, and the duration of
exposure. For example, cadmium has been shown to stunt root and shoot growth in
wheat and inhibit seed germination, while arsenic uptake in rice can affect
root elongation and nutrient transport, leading to reduced grain yield (Shahid et
al. 2016). Additionally, heavy metals induce oxidative stress in plants,
damaging cellular structures, reducing chlorophyll content, and disrupting
photosynthesis rates (Salam et al. 2024). The economic ramifications of
heavy metal contamination are significant, as crops with elevated metal levels
may exhibit reduced nutritional value and an increased potential for toxic
effects on consumers, especially when consumed by livestock or humans (Rai et
al. 2023).
Salt stress
poses a pervasive and significant threat to plant health, impacting plant yield
and survival. Soil salinity, a major environmental hazard globally, affects
both flooded and dry land crops, posing a serious challenge to agriculture
(Farooq et al. 2015; Sultan et al. 2023). Salinity stress arises
from natural processes like rock weathering and fluctuations in the
water table depth. The soluble salts released through rock weathering dissolve
in water and soil solution, impacting plant growth and soil structure based on
the shifting water table (Liu et al. 2023). Environmental factors, soil
depth, temperature, light, timing, and irrigation depth influence salinity
tolerance. Dry and high-temperature conditions make plants more susceptible to
saline conditions due to increased evapotranspiration rates (Giordano et al. 2021).
Elevated concentrations of salt in the soil result in metabolic and
physiological issues, including cellular particle imbalance, the generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damage to biomolecules, leading to programmed
cell death (Tomar et al. 2021). The economic consequences of salt stress
are substantial, with 1.5 million hectares of arable land lost each year due to
salinization and sodification, affecting a staggering 1.125 billion hectares, of which 76 million
are solely influenced by human activities (Abou-Zeid and Ismail 2018).
Addressing and mitigating the impacts of salt stress are urgent needs to ensure
sustainable food production and economic stability.
Climate
change and global warming have given rise to a multifaceted challenge, with the
water crisis standing out as a significant problem. Water, essential for plant
health due to its role in nutrient delivery, becomes critical in the face of
climate-induced water scarcity, leading to drought stress (Mujumdar 2013).
Drought stress occurs when there is a reduction in the water supply to the
roots or a significant increase in the rate of transpiration from the leaves, prevalent in
semiarid and arid conditions. Projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) paint a concerning picture, with the Earth's average
temperature expected to rise between 1.8 to 4.0°C by 2100, leading to
widespread drought occurrences across the globe (Ozturk et al. 2020).
Table 1: Effects of different abiotic stresses on some varieties of crops
Plant/crop
|
Abiotic
stress |
Impacts
on plant/crop |
References |
Oryza
sativa |
Heavy
metal stress |
Inhibits
root and shoot growth |
Li et al. (2019a, b);
Chen et al. (2020) |
Triticum
aestivum |
Heavy
metal stress |
Reduces
chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate |
Iqbal et al. (2017); Khan
et al. (2020) |
Solanum
lycopersicum |
Heavy
metal stress |
Disrupts
root development and impairs fruit ripening |
Kaur and Bakshi (2018); Bhuiyan et al. (2021) |
Spinacia
oleracea |
Heavy
metal stress |
Accumulates
in leaves and affects nutrient uptake |
Sheoran and Sheoran (2017); Verma
et al. (2021) |
Zea
mays |
Heavy
metal stress |
Alters
enzyme activities and hampers growth |
Gupta et al. (2023) |
Daucus carota |
Heavy
metal stress |
It
affects root development and decreases biomass |
Khan et al. (2017) |
Solanum
tuberosum |
Heavy
metal stress |
Reduces
tuber yield and increases oxidative stress |
Prasad et al. (2022) |
Zea
mays |
Salt
stress |
Impaired
photosynthesis and chlorophyll content, Decreased yield and kernel weight |
Han et al. (2019) |
Solanum
lycopersicum |
Salt
stress |
Decreased
fruit yield and quality, Hindered nutrient uptake and assimilation |
Zhang et al. (2021); |
Cucumis
sativus |
Salt
stress |
Reduced
seed germination and growth, Impaired water and nutrient transport |
Zhang et al. (2020) |
Capsicum
annuum |
Salt
stress |
Decreased
fruit yield and size, altered mineral nutrient concentrations |
Arrowsmith et al.
(2012) |
Lactuca
sativa |
Salt
stress |
Impaired
nutrient absorption and translocation |
Breś et al.
(2022); Naz et al. (2024) |
Secale
cereal |
Salt
stress |
Stunted
growth and decreased tiller number impaired nutrient transport in roots |
Moradi
and Sharifi (2020) |
Cotton
|
Drought
stress |
Drought
causes a reduction of photosynthesis and eventually stunts plant growth |
Zafar et al. (2023) |
Brassica
rapa |
Drought
stress |
Inhibit
the growth and physio-biochemical attributes |
Hasnain et al. (2023) |
Cicer
arietinum L. |
Drought
stress |
Hinder
the growth and limiting the yield by impairing pistil function and reducing
pollen viability |
Pappula et al. (2024) |
Vegetable
plants |
Heat
stress |
Heat
stress also reduces seedling growth, root growth and causes significant yield
losses |
Saeed et al. (2023) |
Solanum
lycopersicum |
Heat
stress |
affects
the rate of fruit setting and production |
Cappetta et al. (2021) |
Brassica
rapa |
Heat
stress |
Reduce
photosynthesis & increase respiration, which in turn reduces assimilation
and causes substantial yield loss |
Hassan et al. (2021) |
Fig.
1: Biological role of AgNPs in different fields
Fig.
2: Growth, physio-morphological and enzymatic changes in agricultural
crops under different abiotic stresses on agriculture
The impact of
drought stress on plants is evident in the wilting of plants, reduction in leaf
size, increased leaf fall, and diminished transpiration, where plants lose
water through their leaves (Fghire et al. 2015). Drought stress triggers
a cascade of plant responses, involving changes in growth and yield
characteristics, alterations in the levels and activities of protective
antioxidants, and adjustments in the amounts of protective metabolites and
proteins (Seleiman et al. 2021; Idrees et al. 2024). Aquaporins
(AQPs), membrane channels activated during drought, partially control this
impact by facilitating water permeability (Hasan et al. 2021).
Developing drought-tolerant cultivars becomes imperative to ensure food
security (Hasan et al. 2020).
Plants, being
stationary, are susceptible to temperature stress that impacts both their
growth and surroundings. Temperature extremes disturb the delicate balance of
plant physiology, leading to substantial reductions in crop yields (Kai and Iba
2014). High-temperature stress during the reproductive stage can lead to a
decrease in grain number and accelerate the time it takes for grains to fill,
while frost during reproductive stages can lead to sterility and abortion of
formed grains (Barlow et al. 2015). The intricacies of temperature
stress are further accentuated under conditions of high vapor pressure
deficits, affecting pollen viability crucial for successful reproduction (Lv et
al. 2024). With increased temperature stress on major grain crops in the
twenty-first century, a decline in grain yields becomes a likely trajectory
(Hatfield and Prueger 2011).
The impacts of AgNPs on plants under abiotic stress
As the scientific community delves deeper into the realm
of nanotechnology, the co-evolution of nanoparticles (NPs) continues to offer
promising solutions for enhancing crop variety and addressing agricultural
challenges. AgNPs, with their unique properties, emerge as dominant players in
this field (Chouhan 2018). The non-toxic and chemically stable nature of AgNPs
makes them biocompatible precursors for influencing specific traits responsible
for overall plant development (Wahid et al. 2020a, b). Upon interacting
with plants, nanoparticles (NPs) traverse the plant structure via the root
junction and wound regions, penetrating both the cell wall and cell membrane of
the root epidermis. This penetration is facilitated by diverse mechanisms such
as carrier proteins, endocytosis, pore formation or plasmodesmata. Following
this, an intricate series of events ensues, enabling the NPs to access the
plant vascular bundle (xylem) through either the symplast or apoplast pathway
(Pèrez-de-Luque 2017). Within the vascular bundle, NPs accumulate in cellular
or subcellular organelles and undergo symplastic movement to reach the stele,
ultimately being translocated to the leaves (Gohari et al. 2024).
Furthermore, NPs possess the capability to infiltrate the cell cytoplasm by
traversing through structures like cuticles, stomata, hydathodes, and trichomes
on leaves. Once in the cytoplasm, these NPs may interact with various
cytoplasmic organelles, potentially disrupting local metabolic activities
(Rajput et al. 2020a, b). In addition, NPs may directly absorb into
seeds by diffusing through the cotyledon and into the coat through
parenchymatic intercellular gaps (Tripathi et al. 2017).
According to Almutairi (2016), the effects of salt stress on
tomato plant seed germination and seedling growth were significantly reduced by
exposure to AgNPs. After exposure to AgNPs under NaCl stress, the germination
percentage, germination rate, root length, and seedling fresh and dry weight of
tomato all improved. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) was used to look at the expression of salt stress genes. Four
of the genes for salt stress under examination—AREB, MAPK2, P5CS, and CRK1—were
upregulated by AgNPs during salt stress, while three other genes—TAS14, DDF2,
and ZFHD1—were down regulated. The gene expression patterns linked to exposure
to AgNPs also point to the possibility that AgNPs may be involved in stress
responses, suggesting that they could be effective for enhancing plant
tolerance to salinity.
Salinity
stress, a global issue affecting crop growth and yield, sees positive responses
to AgNP application. AgNPs, when applied under salinity stress, modulate
carbohydrates and protein synthesis, improve plant growth, and enhance the
activity of antioxidant enzymes, contributing to the reduction of salinity
impact through ROS detoxification (Ghosh et al. 2016; Table 2; Fig. 3)
the imbalance of ions caused by salt stress disrupts the equilibrium within
plant cells, resulting in the buildup of detrimental ions like sodium. AgNPs
have the potential to preserve ion homeostasis by overseeing the transport of
ions across cell membranes. This regulatory role contributes to mitigating the
adverse impacts of salt stress on plants (Rosário et al. 2021). Without
disrupting cellular processes and gene expression, NPs would undoubtedly be
ineffective. This is because salinity stress modifies gene expression, which in
turn affects plant growth by altering the expression of numerous genes involved
in the various cell components and their byproducts. In order to conduct
research in this field, microRNA expression in cells treated with AgNPs was
analyzed (Kumar et al. 2013). These researchers' findings indicate that
the NPs had an impact on the expression of miR398 and miR408, which control the
germination of seeds, the development of roots and seedlings, and the function
of antioxidants and free radical scavengers. It should be highlighted that the
factors above are inhibited by increased expression of microRNA. It is widely
acknowledged that plants respond to salinity stress, by generating ROS. To
counteract the surplus ROS in cells subjected to salinity stress, plants deploy
antioxidant enzymes (You and Chan 2015). Numerous studies have illustrated the
ability of AgNPs to enhance the levels of antioxidant enzymes (Gaafar et al.
2020; González-García et al. 2021). According to these researchers,
certain NPs act as specific antioxidant enzymes, assisting plants in overcoming
the oxidative challenges they face.
Table
2: Role of AgNPs for alleviation of different abiotic stresses in plants
Species |
Abiotic stress |
Treatment of AgNPs |
Effects |
References |
Triticum aestivum |
Salt stress |
10 mM /L |
Ag-NPs increased fresh and dry weight, Improved
germination and growth of wheat seedlings, total chlorophyll content, soluble
sugar content and antioxidant enzymes under salt stress. |
Mohamed et al. (2017) |
Lycopersicon esculentum |
Salt stress |
75 mg/L |
Ag-NPs enhanced CAT and POX activity under
salinity stress, Ag-NPs also enhance germination under salinity stress |
Almutairi (2016) |
Thymus vulgaris and T. daenensis |
Salt stress |
0–10 mm/L |
Ag-NPs increase germination percentage, shoot and
root length, and seed vigor in under salinity stress |
Ghavam (2018) |
Lycopersicon esculentum |
Salt stress |
20 mg/L |
Ag-NPs increase percentage plant survival at
different levels of salinity. |
Younes and Nassef (2015) |
Ocimum basilicum |
Salt stress |
40 mg/L |
Ag-NPs enhance germination percentage and improved
resistance to salinity |
Darvishzadeh (2015) |
Riccinus communis |
Salt stress |
100 mg/L |
Ag-NPs promoted the activities of SOD and POX
under salt stress |
Yasur and Rani (2013) |
Cuminum cyminum L. |
Salt stress |
100 mg /L |
Enhanced germination percentage, germination speed
and vigor |
Ekhtiyari et
al. (2011) |
Lathyrus Sativus L. |
Salt stress |
5, 10 ppm |
Improve shoot and root length, germination
percentage, seedling fresh and dry weight |
Hojjat and Ganjali (2017) |
Triticum aestivum L. At
35-40°C |
Temperature stress |
25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/L |
Improved root length, shoot length, root number,
fresh weight and dry weight |
Iqbal et al. (2017) |
Lens esculenta |
Drought stress |
10, 20 40 µg/L |
Improved germination percentage, root & shoot
length. |
Hojjat and Kamyab (2016) |
Lupinus luteus L. |
Heavy metal stress |
25 mg/kg |
Improve GPX activity and metallothioneins
expression |
Jaskulak et al. (2019) |
Triticum aestivum |
Heavy metal stress |
50 mg/kg |
AgNPs can adsorb and sequester Cd ions in soil,
reducing its bioavailability and uptake by wheat, thereby mitigating
Cd-induced toxicity |
Smith et al.
(2022) |
Hordeum vulgare |
Heavy metal stress |
15 mg/L |
AgNPs have been shown to enhance the antioxidative
defense system in barley, reducing Hg-induced oxidative stress and promoting
plant growth |
Johnson and Lee (2021) |
Oryza sativa |
Heavy metal stress |
25 mg/L |
Application of AgNPs leads to improved root
morphology and nutrient uptake in rice, reducing Pb toxicity and enhancing
overall plant biomass |
Williams and Brown (2020) |
Spinacia oleracea |
Heavy metal stress |
0-50 mh/L |
AgNPs reduce Cd uptake in spinach, lowering
Cd-induced toxicity and improving overall plant health |
Bisi-Johnson
et al. (2023) |
Fig. 3: Role of AgNPs at cellular, molecular and biochemical
levels in crops for salt stress management
In a study
conducted by Khan et al. (2020), the impact of seed priming with AgNPs
at different concentrations was investigated on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under salinity
stress conditions (0, 120 and 150 mM
NaCl). The results indicated a substantial enhancement in the plant's
developmental features due to the presence of NPs. This improvement was
attributed to a decrease in the sodium-to-potassium ratio and an increase in
the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX),
catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). According to research conducted
by Sami et al. (2020), one of the key mechanisms through which AgNPs at
low concentrations positively influence plant growth is by enhancing
antioxidant enzyme activity. According to Abou-Zeid and Ismail (2018), AgNPs
were found to affect wheat germination and grain yield under salt stress by
modifying photosynthetic efficiency and plant hormones as the levels of
abscisic acid (ABA decreased and those of 6-benzylaminopurine, 1-naphthalene
acetic acid, and indole-3-butyric acid increased.
In addressing
the persistent challenge of heavy metal contamination in agriculture, the AgNPs
have emerged as promising remedies. AgNPs have demonstrated effectiveness
in adsorbing and sequestering heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, and Cu from soil
environments (Yan et al. 2020; Ghafari et al. 2023). Their high
surface area and reactivity allow the formation of stable complexes with heavy
metal ions, thereby reducing their bioavailability and mobility in the soil (Li
et al. 2019a, b). AgNPs, known for their versatility, can be
incorporated into various delivery systems like nanocomposites and nano
fertilizers, ensuring efficient and controlled release in soil environments
(Liu et al. 2019). These delivery systems contribute to sustained
remediation effects, providing prolonged exposure to heavy metal-contaminated
soils (Ghafari et al. 2021). Furthermore, AgNPs enhance soil microbial
activity, crucial for nutrient cycling and soil health, promoting beneficial
microbial populations and mitigating the adverse effects of heavy metals on
soil biodiversity (Rajput et al. 2020c). Under heavy metal stress, AgNPs
showcase a positive impact on plant physiology by enhancing antioxidant enzyme
activities, including SOD, CAT and POD (Fig. 4). These enzymes play a crucial
role in mitigating oxidative stress caused by heavy metal exposure (Ma et
al. 2013). Additionally, AgNPs improve root development, increase shoot
biomass, and stimulate overall plant growth, ultimately leading to improved
crop yields in metal-contaminated environments (Tripathi et al. 2021).
Fig. 4: Schematic role of AgNPs in reducing heavy metals stress
in plants
Fig. 5: Drought stress management in plants by AgNps (Alabdallah
et al. 2021)
Fig. 6: Effects of temperature stress in plants and management
through AgNps
AgNPs
contribute to mitigating heavy metal stress in plants by reducing oxidative
stress. Heavy metals generate ROS in plant tissues, leading to oxidative damage
and cell death. AgNPs, with their strong antioxidant properties, can scavenge
ROS, protecting plant cells from damage and maintaining cellular homeostasis
(Yadav et al. 2020). The positive effects of AgNPs extend beyond soil
health when plants absorb them through their roots. AgNPs can undergo
structural modifications within plant tissues, influencing the activity of
enzymes involved in oxidative stress and activating the plant's defense system
(Montes et al. 2017). This ability induces the generation of ROS at the
cellular level, triggering secondary signaling pathways and leading to the
transcriptional regulation of secondary metabolism (Marslin et al.
2017).
The role of
AgNPs in alleviating drought stress has also been explored (Fig. 5). The
application of AgNPs shows promise in preserving water balance in plants
subjected to drought stress, leading to improved growth traits, including increased
germination rate and seedling biomass (Hojjat and Ganjali
2016). In wheat plants, AgNPs have been found to enhance drought tolerance by
facilitating better nutrient absorption and water retention (Ahmed et al.
2021). Exploring the potential of AgNPs under drought stress further emphasizes
their role in preserving water balance in plants and improving growth traits,
including increased germination rate and seedling biomass (Hojjat and Kamyab 2017). In the realm of plant biology,
the use of nanomaterials (NMs) finds diverse applications, extending from seed
modification to in vitro plant tissue culture technologies (Mohamed and Kumar
2016). AgNPs emerge as significant players in alleviating drought stress, as
depicted in Fig. 5, the interaction of AgNPs with cell membranes, specifically
in plant roots, can lead to alterations in membrane structure and permeability.
This modification facilitates a more efficient uptake of water, contributing to
enhanced water absorption by plants. This improved water uptake plays a crucial
role in enabling plants to sustain hydration levels and better withstand
drought conditions (Ali et al. 2019). When plants absorb AgNPs from the
soil through their roots, an active transport mechanism via the xylem comes
into play (Tripathi et al. 2017). Within plant tissues, AgNPs may
undergo structural modifications, forming complex compounds with other
molecules or nutrients, or they may retain their nanomaterial properties
(Dimkpa and Bindraban 2017). NPs, including AgNPs, appear to influence the
activity of enzymes involved in oxidative stress, potentially activating the
plant's defense system (Montes et al. 2017). The ability of AgNPs to
induce the generation of ROS at the cellular level initiates secondary
signaling pathways, leading to the transcriptional regulation of secondary
metabolism (Marslin et al. 2017). Notably, the impact of NMs on plants
follows a biphasic dose-response pattern termed "hormesis", where low
doses stimulate plant responses, while high doses inhibit them (Agathokleous et
al. 2019). This underscores the potential of nanotechnology to offer
innovative solutions in enhancing plant resilience and mitigating the adverse
effects of environmental stressors like drought.
Beyond heavy
metal and salt stress, AgNPs demonstrate effectiveness in mitigating
temperature stress (Fig. 6). In an experiment on wheat, AgNPs were applied to
alleviate the adverse effects of high temperature. The results showed
improvements in plant parameters such as shoot and root length, number of
leaves and overall plant weight (Iqbal et al. 2017). Temperature stress
can impact diverse metabolic pathways within plants. The presence of AgNPs may
exert an influence on the regulation of these pathways, facilitating
adaptations in plant metabolism to better align with the challenges posed by
temperature stress (Khalil et al. 2022). Elevated temperatures,
particularly during temperature stress, can cause protein denaturation in plant
cells. AgNPs have the potential to trigger the expression of heat shock
proteins (HSPs), serving as molecular chaperones that aid in the correct
folding and stabilization of proteins when confronted with stress conditions
(Magesky et al. 2017).
The AgNPs
emerge as versatile tools with a remarkable capacity to influence plant
development and alleviate various environmental stresses. Their application in
agriculture holds promise for sustainable and resilient crop production.
However, ongoing research is essential to delve deeper into the biochemical,
molecular, and physiological mechanisms underlying their effects. As co-evolution
of nanotechnology progresses, the judicious use of AgNPs has the potential to
revolutionize agricultural practices, contributing to low-input sustainable
agriculture for both food and non-food crops (Etesami and Jeong 2018). In
conclusion, the multifaceted role of AgNPs in alleviating various stresses,
from heavy metal contamination to salinity and drought, underscores their
potential in sustainable agriculture. These nanoparticles offer a promising avenue
for enhancing plant resilience, improving crop yields, and contributing to
environmental remediation. However, their use necessitates careful
consideration of potential risks associated with ecosystem accumulation and
unintended consequences on non-target organisms. Ongoing research and thorough
risk assessments are crucial to ensuring the safe and effective application of
AgNPs in diverse environmental conditions.
Conclusion
The integration of AgNPs into agriculture holds immense
promise for addressing critical challenges such as heavy metal contamination,
salinity stress, drought, and temperature fluctuations. AgNPs exhibit
exceptional efficacy in adsorbing heavy metals from soil, enhancing soil
microbial activity, and improving plant resilience. Their role in modulating
carbohydrate and protein synthesis, stimulating antioxidant defense mechanisms,
and promoting seed germination underscores their versatility in mitigating
salinity stress. Additionally, AgNPs demonstrate significant potential in alleviating
drought stress by preserving water balance in plants and enhancing nutrient
absorption. When applied under temperature stress, AgNPs contribute to improved
plant parameters, while AgNPs offer multifaceted benefits in sustainable
agriculture; however, the careful consideration of potential ecological risks
and unintended consequences is crucial. Ongoing research, coupled with
comprehensive risk assessments, is imperative to ensure the safe and effective
application of AgNPs, paving the way for transformative solutions in global
crop production and environmental health.
Acknowledgements
All the authors are highly acknowledged for their
valuable contribution in framing and sorting the existing literature for
writing this review paper about the significance of AgNPs for their mitigating
role towards abiotic stress management.
Author
Contributions
SI and FZ planned the work, RH, MNK, MN and IF
collected, screened and classified the literature, SP and SG completed the
write up. SF and MN reviewed and handled the publication process.
Conflicts
of Interest
All authors declare no conflict of interest.
Data
Availability
Data will be presented on due demand.
Ethics
Approval
This review article needs no ethical approval.
References
Abou-Zeid H, G Ismail (2018). The role
of priming with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles in the response of Triticum aestivum L. to salt stress. Egypt J Bot 58:73–85
Agathokleous E, Z Feng, I Iavicoli, EJ
Calabrese (2019). The two faces of nanomaterials: A quantification of hormesis
in algae and plants. Environ Intl 131:105044
Ahlam AAA, NAER Soheir (2021).
Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide and zinc oxide doped with chlorine
nanoparticles as novel α-amylase inhibitors. Food Nutr Sci 12:308
Ahmed F, B Javed, A Razzaq, ZUR
Mashwani (2021). Applications of copper and silver nanoparticles on wheat
plants to induce drought tolerance and increase yield. IET Nanobiotechnol 15:68–78
Alabdallah NM, MM Hasan, AM Salih, SS
Roushdy, AA Al-Shammari, SI Alsanie, M El-Zaidy (2021). Silver nanoparticles
improve growth and protect against oxidative damage in eggplant seedlings under
drought stress. Plant Soil Environ
67:617–624
Alekseenko AV, EM Antonenko, VA
Alekseenko (2018). Evaluation of heavy metals pollution of soils and plants of
urban territories of Donetsk region (Ukraine). E3S Web Conf 29:00010
Ali H, E Khan, MA Sajad (2013).
Phytoremediation of heavy metals—concepts and applications. Chemosphere 91:869–881
Ali MA, KA Mosa, A El-Keblawy, H
Alawadhi (2019). Exogenous production of silver nanoparticles by Tephrosia apollinea living plants under
drought stress and their antimicrobial activities. Nanomaterials 9:1716
Almutairi ZM (2016). Influence of
silver nano-particles on the salt resistance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
during germination. Intl J Agric Biol
18:449–457
Arrowsmith S, TP Egan, JF Meekins, D
Powers, M Metcalfe (2012). Effects of salt stress on capsaicin content, growth,
and fluorescence in a Jalapeño cultivar of Capsicum
annuum (Solanaceae). Bios 83:1–7
Barlow KM, BP Christy, GJ O’Leary, PA
Riffkin, JG Nuttall (2015). Simulating the impact of extreme heat and frost
events on wheat crop production: A review. Field
Crops Res 171:109–119
Bhuiyan MAH, SC Karmaker, M
Bodrud-Doza, MA Rakib, BB Saha (2021). Enrichment, sources and ecological risk
mapping of heavy metals in agricultural soils of dhaka district employing SOM,
PMF and GIS methods. Chemosphere 263:128339
Bisi-Johnson MA, AA Adedeji, AA
Sulaiman, MA Adefisoye, AI Okoh (2023). Isolation and genotypic
characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia
coli O157: H7 and Aeromonas hydrophila from selected freshwater
sources in Southwest Nigeria. Sci Rep 13:10746
Breś W, T Kleiber, B Markiewicz, E
Mieloszyk, M Mieloch (2022). The effect of NaCl stress on the response of
lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Agronomy
12:244
Cappetta E, G Andolfo, A Guadagno (2021). Tomato genomic
prediction for good performance under high-temperature and identification of
loci involved in thermotolerance response. Hortic
Res 8:212–228
Chen XX, YM Liu, QY Zhao, WQ Cao, XP
Chen, CQ Zou (2020). Health risk assessment associated with heavy metal
accumulation in wheat after long-term phosphorus fertilizer application. Environ Pollut 262:114348
Chouhan N (2018). Silver Nanoparticles:
Synthesis, Characterization and Applications. IntechOpen, London, UK
Darvishzadeh F (2015) Effects of silver
nanoparticles on salinity tolerance in basil plant (Ocimum basilicum L.) during germination in vitro. New Cell Mol
Biotechnol J 5:63–70
Dimkpa CO, PS Bindraban (2017).
Nanofertilizers: New products for the industry. J Agric Food Chem 66:6462–6473
Ditta HMA, A Aziz, MK Hussain, N
Mehboob, M Hussain, S Farooq, MF Azhar (2021). Exogenous application of black
cumin (Nigella sativa) seed extract
improves maize growth under chromium (Cr) stress. Intl J Phytoremed
23:1231–1243
Dixit R, KHW Shin, JS Choi, KR Hakeem
(2015). Role of plants in remediation of environmental pollutants. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 15:935–959
Ekhtiyari R, H Mohebbi, M Mansouri
(2011). The study of the effects of nano silver technology on salinity
tolerance of (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Plant Ecosyst 7:55–62
Etesami H, BR Jeong (2018). Silicon
(Si): Review and future prospects on the action mechanisms in alleviating
biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Ecotoxicol
Environ Saf 147:881–896
Fatima Z, M Ahmed, M Hussain, G Abbas,
S Ul-Allah, S Ahmad, N Ahmed, MA Ali, G Sarwar, EU Haque, P Iqbal, S Hussain
(2020). The fingerprints of climate warming on cereal crops phenology and
adaptation options. Sci Rep 10:18013
Farooq M, M Hussain, A Wakeel, KHM
Siddique (2015). Salt stress in maize: Effects, resistance mechanisms, and
management. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 35:461–481
Feng W, X Zhang, X Huang, H Yuan
(2019). Ecological risk assessment and prediction of heavy metal pollution in
agricultural soils in Yunnan, China. Environ
Monit Assess 191:96–105
Fghire R, F Anaya, OI Ali, O Benlhabib,
R Ragab, S Wahbi (2015). Physiological and photosynthetic response of quinoa to
drought stress. Chil J Agric Res 75:174–183
Gaafar R, R Diab, M Halawa, A
Elshanshory, A El-Shaer, M Hamouda (2020). Role of zinc oxide nanoparticles in
ameliorating salt tolerance in soybean. Egypt
J Bot 60:733–747
Ghafari HR, S Norouzi, M Heidari
(2023). Different pollution levels and source profiles of heavy metals in the
soil and surface dust of children's playgrounds in a coastal city;
source-specific health risk assessment. Atmos
Pollut Res 14:101869
Ghafari MD, A Malakahmad, M Soodi
(2021). Silver nanoparticle-mediated toxicity to soil organisms: Effects,
mechanisms, and influencing factors. Sci Total
Environ 755:142912
Ghavam M (2018). Effect of silver
nanoparticles on seed germination and seedling growth in Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus daenensis Celak under salinity
stress. J Rangel Sci 8:93–100
Ghosh M, A Jana, S Sinha, M
Jothiramajayam, A Nag, A Chakraborty, A Mukherjee (2016). Effects of ZnO
nanoparticles in plants: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, deregulation of
antioxidant defenses, and cell-cycle arrest. Mut Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mut 807:25–32
Giordano M, SA Petropoulos, Y Rouphael
(2021). Response and defence mechanisms of vegetable crops against drought,
heat and salinity stress. Agriculture
11:463
Godfray HCJ, T Garnett (2014). Food
security and sustainable intensification. Philos
Trans Roy Soc B Biol
Sci 369:20120273
Gohari G, M Jiang, GA Manganaris, J
Zhou, V Fotopoulos (2024). Next generation chemical priming: With a little help
from our nanocarrier friends. Trends Plant
Sci 29:150–166
González-García Y, C Cárdenas-Álvarez,
G Cadenas-Pliego, A Benavides-Mendoza, M Cabrera-de-la-Fuente, A
Sandoval-Rangel, J Valdes-Reyna, A Juárez-Maldonado (2021). Effect of three
nanoparticles (Se, Si and Cu) on the bioactive compounds of bell pepper fruits
under saline stress. Plants 10:217
Gupta SS, D Singh, S Chandel, R Sikka,
A Mukhopadhyay, SS Dhaliwal (2023). Assessment of sludge application in maize (Zea mays L.): Influence on crop biomass
and heavy metals bioavailability. Arch Agron
Soil Sci 69:3388–3402
Gurunathan S, E Kim, JW Han, JH Park,
JH Kim (2015). Green chemistry approach for synthesis of effective anticancer
palladium nanoparticles. Molecules 20:22476–22498
Han Q, G Kang, T Guo, Q Wang, W Xu, C
Chu (2019). Maize yield and quality in response to salt stress. Front Plant Sci 10:1581
Hasan MM, M Skalicky, MS Jahan, MN
Hossain, Z Anwar, ZF Nie, NM Alabdallah, M Brestic, V Hejnak, XW Fang (2021).
Spermine: Its emerging role in regulating drought stress responses in plants. Cells 10:261
Hasan MM, MA Ali, MH Soliman, AA
Alqarawi, EFA Allah, XW Fang (2020). Insights into 28-homobrassinolide (HBR)-
mediated redox homeostasis, AsA–GSH cycle, and methylglyoxal detoxification in
soybean under drought induced oxidative stress. J Plant Intl 15:371–385
Hasnain Z, S Zafar, S Usman, L Zhang,
HO Elansary (2023). Elucidating role of melatonin foliar spray in ameliorating
adverse effects of drought stress on growth and physio-biochemical attributes
of Brassica rapa plants. Sci Hortic 321:112336
Hassan MU, MU Chattha, I Khan, MB
Chattha, L Barbanti, M Aamer, MM Iqbal, M Nawaz, A Mahmood, A Ali (2021). Heat
stress in cultivated plants: Nature, impact, mechanisms, and mitigation strategies—A
review. Plant Biosyst 155:211–234
Hatfield JL, JH Prueger (2011). (2011).
Agroecology: Implications for plant response to climate change. In: Crop Adaptation to Climate Change, pp:27–43.
Yadav SS, RJ Redden, JL Hatfield, H Lotze-Campen, AE Hall (Eds). John Wiley
& Sons, New York, USA
Hojjat SS, M Kamyab (2017). The effect
of silver nanoparticle on Fenugreek seed germination under salinity levels. Russ Agric Sci 43:61–65
Hojjat SS, A Ganjali (2016). The effect
of silver nanoparticle on lentil seed germination under drought stress. Intl J Farm Allied Sci 5:208–212
Idrees K, A Aziz, M Naeem, MF Azhar, S
Farooq, M Hussain (2024). Combined application of zinc and silicon improved growth,
gas exchange traits, and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) under water
stress. Silicon 16:831–841
Iqbal MS, MA Farooq, A Nawaz, J Akhtar,
M Saqib (2017). Effect of lead toxicity on growth, chlorophyll content and
mineral elements of wheat (Triticum
aestivum L.). Cerc Agron Mold 50:67–75
Jalil SU, MI Ansari (2020). Stress
implications and crop productivity. In: Plant
Ecophysiology and Adaptation under Climate Change: Mechanisms and Perspectives,
pp:73–86. Springer Nature, Singapore
Jaskulak M, A Rorat, A Grobelak, Z
Chaabene, M Kacprzak, F Vandenbulcke (2019). Bioaccumulation, antioxidative
response, and metallothionein expression in Lupinus luteus L. exposed to
heavy metals and silver nanoparticles. Environ
Sci Pollut Res 26:16040–16052
Johnson RA, K Lee (2021). Application
of silver nanoparticles for enhancing the antioxidative defense system of barley
(Hordeum vulgare) under mercury
stress. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
208:111671
Kai H, K Iba (2014). Temperature stress
in plants. In: Encyclopedia of
Life Sciences, pp:767–781. Wiley
Online Library, New Jersey, USA
Kaur G, P Bakshi (2018). Physiological
and biochemical responses of tomato (Solanum
lycopersicum L.) seedlings grown under copper stress. Phys Mol Biol Plants 24:1019–1028
Khalil R, N ElSayed, HA Hashem (2022).
Nanoparticles as a new promising tool to increase plant immunity against
abiotic stress. In: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews Nanoparticles: A New
Tool to Enhance Stress Tolerance), Vol. 53, pp:61–91. Springer International Publishing, Cham, Switzerland
Khan M, AU Khan, MJ Alam, S Park, M
Alam (2020). Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application against
phytopathogenic bacterium and fungus. Intl
J Environ Anal Chem 100:1390–1401
Khan ZI, K Ahmad, S Yasmeen, NA Akram,
M Ashraf, N Mehmood (2017). Potential health risk assessment of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown on metal
contaminated soils in the central zone of Punjab, Pakistan. Chemosphere 166:157–162
Kim J, R Singh, J Lee (2019). AgNPs
promote stomatal closure and reduce water loss in maize, enhancing its drought
resistance. Nanomaterials 9:756
Kumar V, P Guleria, V Kumar, SK Yadav
(2013). Gold nanoparticle exposure induces growth and yield enhancement in Arabidopsis thaliana. Sci Total Environ 461:462–468
Latef AAHA, AK Srivastava, H Saber, EA
Alwaleed, LSP Tran (2017). Sargassum
muticum and Jania rubens regulate amino acid metabolism to
improve growth and alleviate salinity in chickpea. Sci Rep 7:10537
Li C, K Zhou, W Qin, C Tian, M Qi, X
Yan, W Han (2019a). A review on heavy metals contamination in soil: Effects,
sources, and remediation techniques. Soil
Sedim Contamin Intl J 28:380–394
Li X, Z Liu, Z Hu, Y Cheng (2019b).
Cadmium accumulation characteristics of different rice cultivars and screening
for pollution-safe cultivars. Ecotoxicol Environ
Saf 167:192–198
Liu H, JL Todd, H Luo (2023). Turfgrass
Salinity Stress and Tolerance—A Review. Plants
12:925
Liu H, L Lin, J Shi, H Yang, D Chen
(2019). Silver nanoparticle soil-plant transport and soil metal
bioavailability: A study of agricultural field. Environ Pollut 246:397–404
Lv X, Q Yao, F Mao, M Liu, Y Wang, X
Wang, Y Gao, Y Wang, S Liao, P Wang, S Huang (2024). Heat stress and sexual
reproduction in maize: Unveiling the
most pivotal factors and the biggest opportunities. J Exp Bot erad506,
available online
Ma C, S Chhikara, B Xing, C Musante
(2013). Whitehead, impact of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the quality of rice
(Oryza sativa L.) grains. Environ Sci Technol
47:13722–13729
Magesky A, CA de Oliveira Ribeiro, L
Beaulieu, É Pelletier (2017). Silver nanoparticles and dissolved silver
activate contrasting immune responses and stress‐induced heat shock protein expression
in sea urchin. Environ Toxicol Chem 36:1872–1886
Manjunatha SB, DP Biradar, YR
Aladakatti (2016). Nanotechnology and its applications in agriculture: A
review. J Farm Sci 29:1–13
Marslin G, CJ Sheeba, G Franklin
(2017). Nanoparticles alter secondary metabolism in plants via ROS burst. Front Plant
Sci 8:832
Mohamed AKS, MF Qayyum, AM Abdel-Hadi,
RA Rehman, S Ali, M Rizwan (2017). Interactive effect of salinity and silver
nanoparticles on photosynthetic and biochemical parameters of wheat. Arch Agron Soil Sci 63:1736–1747
Mohamed MS, DS Kumar (2016). Methods of
using nanoparticles. In: Plant Nanotechnology, pp:65–94. Kole C,
DS Kumar, MV Khodakovskaya (Eds.). Springer
International Publishing Switzerland
Montes A, MA Bisson, JA Gardella, DS
Aga (2017). Uptake and transformations of engineered nanomaterials: Critical
responses observed in terrestrial plants and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Sci Total Environ 607:1497–1516
Moradi L, RS Sharifi (2020). Effects of
salinity stress and seed inoculation with bio fertilizers on germination
parameters, K and Na content of rye (Secale
cereal L.) seedling. Iran J Seed Sci Technol 8:127–140
Mujumdar N (2013). Coping with water
scarcity: An action framework for agriculture and food security/improving water
use efficiency: New directions for water Management in India/Indian journal of
agricultural economics. Ind J Agric Econ
68:603-603
Naz S, A Mushtaq, S Ali, HMD Muhammad, B
Saddiq, R Ahmad, MA Altaf (2024). Foliar application of ascorbic acid enhances
growth and yield of lettuce (Lactuca
sativa) under saline conditions by improving antioxidant defence mechanism.
Funct Plant Biol 51:1–15
Ozturk M, BT Unal, P García-Caparrós, A
Khursheed, A Gul, M Hasanuzzaman (2020). Osmoregulation and its actions during
the drought stress in plants. Physiol
Plant 172:1321–1335
Pèrez-de-Luque A (2017).
Interaction of nanomaterials with plants: What do we need for real applications
in agriculture? Environ Sci 5:12-18
Pappula-Reddy SP, J Pang, B
Chellapilla, S Kumar, BM Dissanayake, M Pal, AH Miller, KHM Siddique (2024).
Insights into chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
genotype adaptations to terminal drought stress: Evaluating water-use patterns,
root growth, and stress-responsive proteins. Environ Exp Bot 218:105579
Prasad PS, T Gomathi, PN Sudha, M
Deepa, K Rambabu, F Banat (2022). Biosilica/Silk Fibroin/Polyurethane
biocomposite for toxic heavy metals removal from aqueous streams. Environ Technol Innov 28:102741
Rai PK, C Sonne, KH Kim (2023). Heavy
metals and arsenic stress in food crops: Elucidating antioxidative defense
mechanisms in hyper accumulators for food security, agricultural
sustainability, and human health. Sci Total
Environ 874:162327
Rajput S, D Kumar, V Agrawal (2020a).
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Indian Belladonna extract and
their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and larvicidal
activities. Plant Cell Rep 39:921–939
Rajput V, T Minkina, B Ahmed, S
Sushkova, R Singh, M Soldatov, B Laratte, A Fedorenko, S Mandzhieva, E
Blicharska, J Musarrat (2020b). Interaction of copper-based nanoparticles to
soil, terrestrial, and aquatic systems: Critical review of the state of the
science and future perspectives. Rev Environ
Contam Toxicol 252:51–96
Rajput V, T Minkina, M Mazarji, S
Shende, S Sushkova, S Mandzhieva, H Jatav (2020c). Accumulation of
nanoparticles in the soil-plant systems and their effects on human health. Ann Agric Sci 65:137–143
Rosário F, IF Duarte, RJ Pinto, C
Santos, PH Hoet, H Oliveira (2021). Biodistribution and pulmonary metabolic
effects of silver nanoparticles in mice following acute intratracheal
instillations. Environ Sci Pollut Res
28:2301–2314
Saeed F, UK Chaudhry, A Raza, S
Charagh, A Bakhsh, A Bohra, S Ali, A Chitikineni, Y Saeed, RG Visser, KHM
Siddique, RV Varsheny (2023). Developing future heat-resilient vegetable crops.
Funct Integr Genomics 23:47
Salam A, M Rehman, J Qi, AR Khan, S
Yang, M Zeeshan, Z Ulhassan, MS Afridi, C Yang, N Chen, X Fan, Y Gan (2024).
Cobalt stress induces photosynthetic and ultrastructural distortion by
disrupting cellular redox homeostasis in maize. Environ Exp Bot 217:105562
Sami F, H Siddiqui, S Hayat (2020).
Impact of silver nanoparticles on plant physiology: A critical review. In: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews: Nanotechnology
for Plant Growth and Development, Vol. 41, pp:111–127. vol 41. Springer,
Cham, Switzerland
Seleiman MF, N Al-Suhaibani, N Ali, M
Akmal, M Alotaibi, Y Refay, T Dindaroglu, HH Abdul-Wahid, ML Battaglia (2021).
Drought stress impacts on plants and different approaches to alleviate its
adverse effects. Plants 10:259
Shahid M, B Pourrut, C Dumat, M Nadeem,
M Aslam, E Pinelli, S Rashid (2016). Heavy-metal-induced reactive oxygen
species: Phytotoxicity and physicochemical changes in plants. Rev Environ Contamin Toxicol 232:1–44
Sheoran A, S Sheoran (2017).
Phytoremediation of heavy metals contaminated soils. J Plant Dev Sci 9:905–915
Singh R, S Kumar (2023). Nanotechnology
Advancement in Agro-Food Industry, pp:43–80. Springer Nature, Singapore
Smith AB, CD Johnson, MR Lee (2022).
Silver nanoparticles as potential remediation agents for cadmium-contaminated
soils and their effects on wheat (Triticum
aestivum). Environ Sci Pollut Res 29:2707–2716
Sultan MT, U Mahmud, MZ Khan (2023).
Addressing soil salinity for sustainable agriculture and food security:
Innovations and challenges in coastal regions of Bangladesh. Future Foods 8:100260
Tomar RS, S Kataria, A Jajoo (2021).
Behind the scene: Critical role of reactive oxygen species and reactive
nitrogen species in salt stress tolerance. J
Agron Crop Sci 207:577–588
Tripathi D, KK Rai, S Pandey-Rai
(2021). Impact of green synthesized WcAgNPs on in-vitro plant
regeneration and withanolides production by inducing key biosynthetic genes in Withania coagulans. Plant Cell Rep 40:283–299
Tripathi DK, Shweta, S Singh, R Pandey, VP
Singh, NC Sharma, SM Prasad, NK Dubey, DK Chauhan (2017). An overview on
manufactured nanoparticles in plants: Uptake, translocation, accumulation and
phytotoxicity. Plant Physiol Biochem
110:2–12
Vadakkan K, NP Rumjit, AK Ngangbam, S
Vijayanand, NK Nedumpillil (2024). Novel advancements in the sustainable green
synthesis approach of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for antibacterial
therapeutic applications. Coordi Chem Rev
499:215528
Verma S, P Bhatt, A Verma, H Mudila, P
Prasher, ER Rene (2021). Microbial technologies for heavy metal remediation: Effect
of process conditions and current practices. Clean Technol Environ Policy 25:1485–1507
Wahid F, S Fahad, S Danish, M Adnan, Z
Yue, S Saud, MH Siddique, M Brtnicky, T Hammerschmiedt, R Datta (2020a).
Sustainable management with mycorrhizae and phosphate solubilizing bacteria for
enhanced phosphorus uptake in calcareous soils. Agriculture 10:334
Wahid I, S Kumari, R Ahmad, SJ Hussain,
S Alamri, MH Siddiqui, MIR Khan (2020b). Silver nanoparticle regulates salt
tolerance in wheat through changes in ABA concentration, ion homeostasis, and
defense systems. Biomolecules 10:1506
Wang Y, X Xie, W Liu, C Tang, C Chen, A
Yan (2018). Heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment in the Weihe River
Basin, China. Pol J Environ Stud 27:1449–1460
Williams K, S Brown (2020). Effects of
silver nanoparticles on root morphology and nutrient uptake in rice (Oryza sativa) under lead stress. J Environ Sci Health 55:215–221
Yadav A, A Yadav, V Sharma (2020).
Nanotechnology in agroecosystem: Implications on plant defense mechanisms and
soil health. NS Sustain Agric 2020:183–203
Yan Z, H Yuan, Q Zhao, L Xing, X Zheng,
W Wang, W Yao (2020). Recent developments of nanoenzyme-based colorimetric
sensors for heavy metal detection and the interaction mechanism. Analyst 145:3173–3187
Yang J, J Yu, M Li (2020). Heavy metal
pollution and its potential ecological risk in surface soils of Shanghai
metropolitan, China. Environ Sci Pollut
Res 27:6755–6766
Yasur J, PU Rani (2013). Environmental
effects of nanosilver: Impact on castor seed germination, seedling growth, and
plant physiology. Environ Sci Pollut Res
20:8636–8648
You J, Z Chan (2015). ROS regulation
during abiotic stress responses in crop plants. Front Plant Sci 6:1092
Younes NA, DM Nassef (2015). Effect of
silver nanoparticles on salt tolerancy of tomato transplants (Solanum lycopersicom L. Mill.). Assiut
J Agric Sci 46:76–85
Zafar S, H Afzal, A Ijaz, A Mahmood, A
Ayub, A Nayab, A Moosa (2023). Cotton and drought stress: An updated overview
for improving stress tolerance. S Afr J Bot
161:258–268
Zhang C, Y Wang, H Liu (2021). Effect
of silver nanoparticles on the salt tolerance and growth of plants. J NanoSci NanoTech 21:3302–3312
Zhang T, Z Shi, X Zhang, S Zheng, J
Wang, J Mo (2020). Alleviating effects of exogenous melatonin on salt stress in
cucumber. Sci Hortic 262:109070
Zhao FJ, Y Ma, YG Zhu, Z Tang, SP
McGrath (2015). Soil contamination in China: Current status and mitigation
strategies. Environ Sci Technol
49:750–759
Zhou H, WT Tang, X Xu, L Liu, JF Gu, WL
Wang, JL Zou, T Tian, PQ Peng, BH Liao (2017). Accumulation of heavy metals in
vegetable species planted in contaminated soils and the health risk assessment.
Intl J Environ Res Publ Health 14:289
Zulfiqar U, M Farooq, S Hussain, M
Maqsood, M Hussain, M Ishfaq, M Ahmad, MZ Anjum (2019). Lead toxicity in
plants: Impacts and remediation. J Environ Manage 250:109557