Summary
This narrative review synthesises the literature on the application of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles to mitigate plant abiotic stress responses. The authors find that nanoparticles such as zinc oxide, silicon, and iron oxide can enhance plant resilience through effects on physiological and molecular mechanisms, with differential efficacy across stress types (e.g. ZnO for salt stress, TiO₂ for drought). The review emphasises that whilst nanoparticles offer promise for sustainable agricultural intensification under climate change, their adoption requires careful assessment of environmental and agronomic risks.
Regional applicability
The review is a global synthesis with no stated geographic focus, making findings applicable in principle to United Kingdom farming systems facing increasing abiotic stress from climate variability. However, transferability requires context-specific field validation, particularly regarding soil conditions, rainfall patterns, and regulatory frameworks governing nanomaterial use in UK agriculture.
Key measures
Plant growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, antioxidant production, nutrient absorption, osmotic balance, stress tolerance markers; effects stratified by nanoparticle type (ZnO, Si, FeO, Mg, TiO₂) and stress category (salt, drought, heat, heavy metals)
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on how metal and metal oxide nanoparticles enhance plant resilience to abiotic stressors including temperature, salinity, drought, and heavy metal stress. It reports effects on physiological and molecular processes including growth, biomass, chlorophyll content, antioxidant production, nutrient absorption, and osmotic regulation.
Topic tags
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