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Agronomy
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Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture
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Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2024 | Viewed by 7418

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Prakash M Gopalakrishnan Nair

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biological Sciences, Grambling State University, Grambling, LA, USA
Interests: nanobiotechnology; plant-nano interactions; nano exposure assessment; environmental nanotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To meet the increasing demand for agricultural products due to an increasing population, it is important to increase agricultural production. The application of nanotechnologies for agricultural applications has the potential to improve the agricultural sector and improve crop productivity and food security.

The application of nanomaterials in agriculture opens up various possibilities for the exploration of nanomaterials to improve growth, yield, biotic/abiotic and xenobiotic stresses and the detection of crop/soil interactions. Nanotechnology offers opportunities for the development of novel agrochemicals such as the use of nano-pesticides and nano-fertilizers, as well as the use of nanomaterials as nano-carriers for the controlled release of nutrients, pesticides and fertilizers. The application of nano-sensors to monitor signaling pathways and the detection of crop/soil diseases is another promising area.

For this Special Issue, we invite original research articles and review papers on applications of nanotechnology that address problems and challenges in agriculture, promoting in-depth knowledge and cutting-edge research activities. 

Dr. Prakash M Gopalakrishnan Nair
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agricultural nanobiotechnology
  • nanobiotechnology
  • nano-sensors
  • nano-carriers
  • nano-pesticides
  • nano-fertilizers
  • biotic and abiotic stress
  • crop improvement

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1412 KiB  
Article
Physiological and Antioxidative Effects of Strontium Oxide Nanoparticles on Wheat
by Mustafa Güven Kaysım, Ahmet Metin Kumlay, Kamil Haliloglu, Aras Türkoğlu, Magdalena Piekutowska, Hayrunnisa Nadaroğlu, Azize Alayli and Gniewko Niedbała
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040770 - 08 Apr 2024
Viewed by 486
Abstract
We explored the impact of strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO-NPs), synthesized through a green method, on seedling growth of bread wheat in hydroponic systems. The wheat plants were exposed to SrO-NPs concentrations ranging from 0.5 mM to 8.0 mM. Various parameters, including shoot length [...] Read more.
We explored the impact of strontium oxide nanoparticles (SrO-NPs), synthesized through a green method, on seedling growth of bread wheat in hydroponic systems. The wheat plants were exposed to SrO-NPs concentrations ranging from 0.5 mM to 8.0 mM. Various parameters, including shoot length (cm), shoot fresh weight (g), root number, root length (cm), root fresh weight (g), chlorophyll value (SPAD), cell membrane damage (%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) value (µmol/g), malondialdehyde (MDA) value (ng/µL), and enzymatic activities like ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (EU/g FW), peroxidase (POD) activity (EU/g FW), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (U/g FW), were measured to assess the effects of SrO-NPs on the wheat plants in hydroponic conditions. The results showed that the SrO-NPs in different concentrations were significantly affected considering all traits. The highest values were obtained from the shoot length (20.77 cm; 0.5 mM), shoot fresh weight (0.184 g; 1 mM), root number (5.39; 8 mM), root length (19.69 cm; 0 mM), root fresh weight (0.142 g; 1 mM), SPAD (33.20; 4 mM), cell membrane damage (58.86%; 4 mM), H2O2 (829.95 µmol/g; 6 mM), MDA (0.66 ng/µl; 8 mM), APX (3.83 U/g FW; 6 mM), POD (70.27 U/g FW; 1.50 mM), and SOD (60.77 U/g FW; 8 mM). The data unequivocally supports the effectiveness of SrO-NPs application in promoting shoot and root development, chlorophyll levels, cellular tolerance, and the activation of enzymes in wheat plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture)
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22 pages, 4678 KiB  
Article
Exogenous Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Improved Antioxidants, Photosynthetic, and Yield Traits in Salt-Stressed Maize
by Mahmoud F. Seleiman, Awais Ahmad, Bushra Ahmed Alhammad and ElKamil Tola
Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2645; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102645 - 19 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1185
Abstract
Salinity is one of the most threatening abiotic stresses to agricultural production, alarmingly expanding both through natural salinization phenomena and anthropogenic activities in recent times. The exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly strategic approaches for mitigating the negative impact of salinity on food crops [...] Read more.
Salinity is one of the most threatening abiotic stresses to agricultural production, alarmingly expanding both through natural salinization phenomena and anthropogenic activities in recent times. The exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly strategic approaches for mitigating the negative impact of salinity on food crops is of vital importance for future food security. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as potent salinity mitigators in maize (Zea mays L.). Three ZnO-NPs foliar treatments (i.e., 0, 50, and 100 mg/L) were applied 40, 55, and 70 days after sowing on maize plants exposed to continuous salinities of 0 mM NaCl (S0), 60 mM NaCl (S1), and 120 mM NaCl (S3) in a semi-automated greenhouse facility. Results showed that the highest salinity (i.e., 120 mM NaCl) significantly affected plant growth attributes, physiological performance, nutrient profiles, antioxidant activity, plant yield, and yield-contributing characteristics of maize plants. Thus, 120 mM NaCl resulted in −53% number of grains per cob (NG), −67% grains weight per cob (GW), −36% 100-grains weight (HGW), and −72% grain yield per plant (GY) compared to controls. However, foliar treatment of maize plants with ZnO-NPs successfully mitigated salinity and significantly improved all studied parameters, except transpiration rate (TR) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE). Foliar application of 100 mg/L of ZnO-NPs alleviated NG, GW, HGW, and GY by 31%, 51%, 13%, and 53%, respectively. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation further strengthened the significance of ZnO-NP application as salinity mitigators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture)
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20 pages, 1075 KiB  
Article
Uncaria tomentosa-Loaded Chitosan Oligomers–Hydroxyapatite–Carbon Nitride Nanocarriers for Postharvest Fruit Protection
by Alberto Santiago-Aliste, Eva Sánchez-Hernández, Laura Buzón-Durán, José Luis Marcos-Robles, Jesús Martín-Gil and Pablo Martín-Ramos
Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2189; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092189 - 22 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1298
Abstract
Given the risks associated with synthetic fungicides, it is crucial to explore safe and sustainable alternatives. One potential solution is using bioactive natural products (BNPs). However, BNPs face challenges like lability, solubility, and lack of specificity. These issues can be addressed through nanoencapsulation. [...] Read more.
Given the risks associated with synthetic fungicides, it is crucial to explore safe and sustainable alternatives. One potential solution is using bioactive natural products (BNPs). However, BNPs face challenges like lability, solubility, and lack of specificity. These issues can be addressed through nanoencapsulation. This study focuses on the evaluation of novel chitosan oligomers–hydroxyapatite–carbon nitride (COS–HAp–g-C3N4) nanocarriers (NCs) for encapsulating BNPs, specifically an extract from Uncaria tomentosa bark. The NCs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The NCs were monodisperse, with a mean diameter of 250 nm, and showed an encapsulation efficiency of 82%. The suitability of the loaded NCs (COS–HAp–g-C3N4–BNP, in a 2:1:0.5:1 weight ratio) for postharvest fruit protection was investigated in vitro and ex situ at a laboratory scale. Results regarding their efficacy against Botrytis cinerea on strawberries, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on mangoes, Penicillium expansum on apples, Monilinia laxa on peaches, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on kiwifruit are presented. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 250, 375, 375, 250, and 187.5 μg·mL−1 were found in vitro, respectively, while higher doses (500, 750, 750, 250, and 375 μg·mL−1, respectively) were needed to achieve effective control in postharvest tests on artificially inoculated fruit. These findings suggest that NCs containing extracts from U. tomentosa bark show promise as biorational agents and as alternatives to conventional fungicides for managing postharvest phytopathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture)
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15 pages, 865 KiB  
Article
Influence of Silver Nanoparticles on Photosynthetic Pigment Content and Mineral Uptake in Pineapple Seedlings Grown In Vitro under Aluminum Stress
by José Jesús Tejada-Alvarado, Jegnes Benjamín Meléndez-Mori, Rosmery Y. Ayala-Tocto, Malluri Goñas and Manuel Oliva
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051186 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2034
Abstract
The presence of toxic metals such as aluminum is described as a factor that could lead to a significant decrease in crop productivity, particularly for the cultivation of acidophilic plants. In the present study, in vitro cultivation of pineapple was used as a [...] Read more.
The presence of toxic metals such as aluminum is described as a factor that could lead to a significant decrease in crop productivity, particularly for the cultivation of acidophilic plants. In the present study, in vitro cultivation of pineapple was used as a model to evaluate the role of silver nanoparticles (0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 g L−1 Ag NPs) against the negative effects of aluminum (0, 100, 300, and 500 μM AlCl3). The results showed that the presence of 0.025 g L−1 Ag NPs stimulated a higher concentration of photosynthetic pigments “a”, “b”, “a + b” and carotenoids in treatments with high levels of AlCl3. The application of Ag NPs allowed better shoot formation, improved chlorophyll a/b, and total/carotenoid ratios, as well as better levels of proline biosynthesis in response to stress. The synergistic interaction of Ag NPs and AlCl3 increased the availability and assimilation of mineral elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn) while decreasing Al translocation. In conclusion, the implementation and validation of Ag NPs in agricultural fields would be revolutionary because they represent a novel alternative for overcoming the limitations imposed by the presence of Al. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture)
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18 pages, 824 KiB  
Article
Nano-Hydroxyapatite and ZnO-NPs Mitigate Pb Stress in Maize
by Bushra Ahmed Alhammad, Awais Ahmad and Mahmoud F. Seleiman
Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041174 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1586
Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) stress, particularly lead (Pb) stress, is one of the most hazardous environmental stresses that can negatively affect plants’ growth, yield, and quality. Therefore, the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 50 mg L−1), nano-hydroxyapatite (HP-NPs; 50 mg kg [...] Read more.
Heavy metals (HMs) stress, particularly lead (Pb) stress, is one of the most hazardous environmental stresses that can negatively affect plants’ growth, yield, and quality. Therefore, the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 50 mg L−1), nano-hydroxyapatite (HP-NPs; 50 mg kg−1), and their combination on growth, physiological, and yield traits of maize grown in soil contaminated with Pb (i.e., 100 mg kg−1) were investigated. The results showed that Pb stress significantly reduced plant leaf area by 50.9% at 40 days after sowing (DAS), 55.5% at 70 DAS, and 54.2% at 100 DAS in comparison to the unstressed plants (control). However, the combined application of ZnO-NPs (50 mg L−1) + HP-NPs (50 mg kg−1) reduced the adverse effects of Pb on plant growth in terms of increasing leaf area by 117.6% in plants grown in Pb-contaminated soil (100 mg kg−1). Similarly, the combined application of ZnO-NPs + HP-NPs resulted in increments in the total chlorophyll content by 47.1%, photosynthesis rate by 255.1%, and stomatal conductance by 380% in comparison to that obtained from maize stressed with Pb. On the other hand, antioxidants such as sodium dismutase (SOD; 87.1%), peroxidase (POX; 90.8%), and catalase (CAT; 146%), and proline content (116%) were significantly increased as a result of Pb stress compared to unstressed plants. Moreover, N, P, K, and Zn contents in the whole plant grown under Pb stress were decreased by 38.7%, 69.9%, 46.8%, and 82.1%, respectively, compared to those obtained from the control. Whereas the combined treatment of ZnO-NPs (50 mg L−1) + HP-NPs (50 mg kg−1) resulted in increased uptake of plant nutrients and, consequently, the highest values of ear weight, grain yield, and harvest index were obtained. Furthermore, the combined application of HP-NPs + ZnO-NPs in contaminated soil reduced Pb uptake in plant biomass by 77.6% and grains by 90.21% in plants exposed to Pb stress. In conclusion, the combined application of ZnO-NPs and HP-NPs significantly improved growth, physiological traits, antioxidants, and yield as well as elemental uptake of maize grown under Pb stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting Edge Research of Nanoparticles Application in Agriculture)
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