Application of Nanoparticles for Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Cotton

Abstract

In developing countries, major parts of the population are associated with agriculture for their livelihood and require innovative tools to address the problems of modern crop production. Because of its economic significance, cotton is one of the most important cash crops, commonly called “white gold.” However, its production is seriously threatened due to major abiotic adversaries such as temperature, drought, light, salt, nutrients, flooding, heavy metal pollution, and complex stresses such as harsh environments, saline-alkali soils, and coastal wetland environments. The negative impacts of abiotic stresses on plant growth and development result in lower lint output and financial losses. Nanotechnology is one of the most recent technologies developed to enable crop plants to survive and thrive under environmental stresses. The nanotechnology-based approaches can boost cotton production by minimizing the deleterious effects of abiotic stresses. Nanoparticles (NPs) can improve plant stress tolerance, crop quality and yield, and mitigate nutrient deficiencies. These benefits offered by NPs can be achieved through managing plant diseases, increasing chlorophyll content, and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency. Recent interest has developed in applying nano-pesticides, nano-herbicides, and nano-fertilizers as promising plant productivity enhancement technologies. Herein, recent advances have been synthesized on the negative consequences of NPs on the environment, human health, and the food chain, as well as their favorable effects on sustainable agriculture. Moreover, NPs’ uses for enhancing cotton productivity by averting the negative impacts of abiotic stresses have been objectively evaluated.