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

Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture.

do Espirito Santo Pereira A, Caixeta Oliveira H, Fernandes Fraceto L, Santaella C.

Nanomaterials (Basel) · 2021

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Summary

This review examines the emerging potential of nanotechnology to enhance seed priming — a pre-sowing treatment to improve crop establishment and performance. The authors likely synthesise evidence on how engineered nanoparticles can deliver bioactive compounds, nutrients, or growth promoters to seeds, potentially improving germination rates and stress resilience whilst reducing input requirements. The paper positions nano-enabled seed priming as a tool within sustainable intensification strategies, though questions about environmental fate and practical scalability remain.

Regional applicability

UK cereal and vegetable growers may benefit from improved seed priming technologies if regulatory frameworks for nanomaterial use in agriculture are clarified. However, uptake will depend on cost-competitiveness relative to conventional seed treatments and robust safety data on soil and environmental persistence.

Key measures

Seed germination rate, seedling vigour indices, stress tolerance markers, nanoparticle characterisation and application methods

Outcomes reported

The study examined the potential of nanotechnology-based approaches to enhance seed priming techniques for improving crop performance and sustainability. Outcomes likely include assessment of nanoparticle efficacy in promoting seed germination, seedling vigour, and stress tolerance under controlled conditions.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Arable cropping systems
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.3390/nano11020267
Catalogue ID
NRmo9rin9c-026

Topic tags

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