Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Plants

Nanotechnology leads to a huge scope of novel application in agricultural sector, because nanoparticles have unique physicochemical properties, that is, high surface area, tunable pore-size, high reactivity, and particle morphology. It has been noticed from various studies that nanoparticles' toxicity has exerted detrimental effects on plant growth and development. Moreover, nanoscience contributes new ideas leading us to understand the toxicity of nanoparticles in plants. The realistic elucidation of biochemical, 304physiological, and molecular mechanism of nanoparticles and their excess in plant lead to several abnormalities. To identify the differences among the adverse and beneficial effects of nanoparticles in plants, one should be well aware of the underlying principles of nanoparticles affiliations to the plants. This chapter concludes the recent knowledge on the toxicity of nanoparticles in plants by describing its mechanism of phytotoxicity and certain risks. Nanoparticles are being utilized in agriculture to (1) attain agricultural produce more vigorously and have maximum productivity, which, in response, reduces the utilization of energy and water and (2) generate lesser waste. This chapter overviews the nanoparticles phytotoxicity and explains the selection of respective studies for metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles and for carbon-based particles. Efforts are made to describe the uptake mechanisms, biotransformation, and translocation that are crucial to the exact interpretation of potential risks and exposure due to nanoparticles. More knowledge is required on the second-generation nanoparticles acute and critical toxicity, as well as the implications of molecular end points for the assessment of toxicity.