Effect of Nanomaterials on Crops Germination and Seedling Growth

Dear Colleagues,

Seed germination is the first sensitive stage of the life cycle of higher plants; therefore, the study of the effects of nanomaterials during this phase may be informative for researchers and agronomists, especially in the case of crops. Currently, a large amount of experimental data (nearly 30,000 reports according to Science Direct) that deal with the effects of various nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles, carbon structures or other organic nanoparticles on plants has been assembled. It has been shown that nanomaterials can influence germination and early development both positively and negatively, depending on their size, concentration or composition. The application of nanomaterials at a proper dosage may improve not only the vegetative traits and stress tolerance of the crop seedlings but later the yield of mature plants, too, without being hazardous to the environment. In addition, the wide-spread consumption of so-called microgreens and their cultivation using nanomaterials also requires further investigation concerning food safety. We expect to recieve research articles, reviews and short communications concerning this topic. 

Dr. Réka Szőllősi
Dr. Ágnes Szepesi
Dr. Árpád Molnár
Guest Editors

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• nanomaterials
• crops
• seed germination
• seedling growth
• stress tolerance