This review provides the first detailed introduction of plant nanoscience, including nanosensors, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanomaterials-mediated gene transformation, nanogenerators, and nanotoxicology. The interaction between nanomaterials and plants, as well as, the advanced application fields of nanotechnology in plants are discussed deeply to better manage the growth of plants and offer guidance for the future research and practical applications.
Abstract
Plants have complex internal signaling pathways to quickly adjust to environmental changes and harvest energy from the environment. Facing the growing population, there is an urgent need for plant transformation and precise monitoring of plant growth to improve crop yields. Nanotechnology, an interdisciplinary research field, has recently been boosting plant yields and meeting global energy needs. In this context, a new field, “plant nanoscience,” which describes the interaction between plants and nanotechnology, emerges as the times require. Nanosensors, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nano-plant genetic engineering are of great help in increasing crop yields. Nanogenerators are helping to develop the potential of plants in the field of energy harvesting. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization of nanomaterials in plants and the possible effects are also worthy of attention. In this review, a forward-looking perspective on the plant nanoscience is presented and feasible solutions for future food shortages and energy crises are provided.