Nanoparticles in plant systems: Omics-based perspectives on stress adaptation and toxicological implications

Nanoparticles have progressively become potent plant science tools that provide unprecedented prospects to improve stress tolerance, enhance nutrient supply, and mitigate pathogen infections. The interactions with the plant system are dose-dependent and complex, and requires more knowledge on their functionalization, physiological impacts, and potential toxicity. This review provides an omics-based overview of the mechanism by which nanoparticles impact plant molecular response with a special emphasis on transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and ionomic modulations involved in stress adaptation and toxicity. Functionalization development in nanoparticles has enabled specificity on target and controlled release mechanisms, improving bioavailability with reduction in advertent environmental impact. Although properly functionalized nanoparticles can trigger stress tolerance through the modulation of antioxidant defense, hormone signaling, and secondary metabolism, excessive exposure will generate oxidative stress, metabolic disturbance, and phytotoxicity. We also discuss the environmental fate of nanoparticles, adsorption in plant tissues, and effect on soil microbiota. finally, we discuss the necessity of standard protocols, field trials, and regulations to ensure the sustainable use of nanoparticles in agriculture. By combining nanotechnology with omics-driven understanding, the current review presents a thorough comprehension of nanoparticle-mediated plant responses that will open the gateway for novel and eco-friendly application in precision agriculture • Agriculture faces a foremost threat due to the impact of climate change caused by various anthropogenic activities. • Nanotechnology has proven to be of immense importance for improving abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants. • Nano-fertilizers can increase crop output by enhancing plant metabolic activities, including germination and development. • Plant breeding has become more accurate because of the use of nanobiotechnology approaches, particularly NPs, which create new combinations of genes and shorten the time required to remove undesirable genes from large numbers of organisms. • Prior to their widespread use in agricultural practices, fundamental knowledge regarding the relationships between NPs and plants, as well as the environmental risks and advancement of ecologically sound NPs, must be obtained by using various omics approaches.