Phytohormone and nanoparticle crosstalk as a unified mechanistic paradigm for sustainable plant stress management

Abstract Biotic and abiotic stressors, including climate crises, are affecting plants’ metabolic and developmental processes, which negatively influence crop performance and the overall resilience of agroecosystems. In response to these stressors, plants have evolved multifaceted defense mechanisms at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels. With the advent of nanotechnology, an emerging field in plant sciences, particularly in agriculture, offers sustainable solutions for the greater benefit of mankind. The potential of nanotechnology as nano-fertilizers in agriculture is immense, offering advantages such as high efficiency, eco-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. Nanoparticles are crucial in modulating plant physiological and biochemical responses, including activating antioxidant defense mechanisms and regulating hormones. They can mitigate excessive reactive oxygen species production under severe stress, help regulate phytohormone signaling, and minimize excessive stress. However, understanding the intricate interactions between nanoparticles and phytohormone synthesis is still in its early stages. For sustainable agricultural production, it’s an urgent requirement to grasp these interactions and to track their regulatory functions to manage abiotic stress-related situations. This review explores the current status and future potential of genomic engineering to enhance abiotic stress tolerance, and the interplay between phytohormones and nanoparticles in alleviating plant stress responses in agriculture. Finally, we identify critical knowledge gaps to inform the development of future climate-smart cultivars and sustainable agricultural practices.