Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Toxicity and transport of nanoparticles in agriculture: effects of size, coating, and aging

Shahid Ul Islam

Frontiers in Nanotechnology · 2025

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Summary

This review examines the factors governing nanoparticle behaviour in agricultural contexts, with particular focus on how particle size, surface coating, and environmental aging alter toxicological profiles and transport dynamics in soil–plant systems. By synthesising existing literature, it likely identifies physicochemical thresholds and transformation pathways relevant to risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials in crop production. The paper contributes to an emerging evidence base needed to inform safe use and regulatory frameworks for nanotechnology in agriculture.

UK applicability

Although the review appears to be global in scope, its findings are applicable to UK agriculture and regulatory contexts, particularly given increasing interest in nano-enabled agrochemicals and the UK's post-Brexit development of independent chemical and environmental risk assessment frameworks.

Key measures

Nanoparticle size (nm); surface coating characteristics; phytotoxicity indicators (e.g. germination rate, root elongation, biomass); transport and mobility metrics in soil and plant tissues; aging-related transformation endpoints

Outcomes reported

The study likely examined how nanoparticle size, surface coating, and aging processes influence their toxicity to plants and soil organisms, as well as their mobility and fate within agricultural environments. It probably synthesises evidence on how these physicochemical properties modulate uptake, accumulation, and phytotoxic or ecotoxic effects.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Agrochemicals & soil contamination
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.3389/fnano.2025.1622228
Catalogue ID
NRmo3f02hq-03i

Topic tags

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