Nanotechnology: A Tool for Mitigating Abiotic Stresses in Crop Plants

Abstract

Plants use complex mechanisms to respond to abiotic stresses, which cause multiple changes in the plants’ morphology, physiology, and metabolic pathways. Various methods are currently being developed to enhance plant tolerance to environmental stresses. Crop genotypes have been genetically modified and contain genes that have the potential to improve a plant’s stress tolerance and performance. In the biological sciences, nanotechnology, both an applied and beneficial science, is very useful for improving stress tolerance. The application of nanoparticles enhances germination, seedling development, and numerous physiological and biochemical processes, including nitrogen metabolism, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, leaf protein, carbohydrates, leaf peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascor-bate peroxidase (APX) contents, and seed yield. The ability of nanoparticles to influence gene expression is further evidence of their utility in agricultural production. Moreover, nanoparticles also improve water conductance and its uptake by plant roots. By activating proteins involved in stress signaling, oxidation-reduction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and hormonal pathway detoxification, nanoparticles improve tolerance to water stress. The high mobility of nanoparticles within the plant improves nutrient transport throughout the plant body. There is an urgent need to investigate potential improvement strategies to better adapt nanoparticles for commercial use in crop production in environments with abiotic stresses. This book chapter discusses the importance of nanoparticles in plants for reducing the harmful impact of abiotic stresses, with a particular emphasis on legumes. © 2025 by Apple Academic Press, Inc.