Sustainable Nano solutions for global food security and biotic stress management

The rapid increase in world population has necessitated a rise in the agricultural production to fulfill the global food demand. Due to the substantial population growth, agricultural land is steadily diminishing with each passing day. Nanotechnology has shown promising results in the development of sustainable farming techniques. Few nanomaterials have demonstrated remarkable properties to serve as stress tolerance enhancers and growth stimulants for plants. The roles of the nanoparticles depend on their physiochemical properties, biological toxicities, concentrations, and type of formulations such as nanogels, nanoemulsion, nanoencapsulation, and nanosuspensions. Smart delivery of these nanoparticles enhances plant growth by promoting germination of seeds, root and shoot growth, and an overall increase in biomass. Several nanoparticles have shown their capability to combat the diverse biotic stresses that plants encounter during their lifetime. These nanoparticles are toxic to pathogens and weeds by modifying their gene expression, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disrupting various metabolic processes. Different research endeavors have contributed to the development of customized nanoparticles that cater to the specific requirements of agriculture, leading to the adoption of sustainable agricultural methods. In this review, we have explored various categories of nanoparticles along with their distinctive characteristics. We have also discussed the techniques employed for applying these nano- particles to plants and their subsequent effects on plant growth and different biotic stresses along with an application of nanoparticles for the detection of various plant diseases.