Silver Nanoparticles Help Plants Grow, Alleviate Stresses, and Fight Against Pathogens

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has gained importance in agriculture in recent years thanks to their unique characteristics, including their antimicrobial capacity and their ability to promote plant growth. Due to these attributes, AgNPs are considered a promising solution for the future of agriculture, offering significant potential to address the challenges the sector confronts currently. However, it is important to adjust the application conditions, depending on the target and the crop used, to improve AgNP treatment efficiency. This review compiles recent advances in the use of AgNPs for crop production, both in and ex vitro. AgNPs promote growth and alleviate biotic and abiotic stresses through different ex vitro application methods. They are also efficiently used in vitro to improve plant culture and pathogen elimination. In addition, the safety and toxicity associated with their use are discussed. AgNPs are a novel tool with great potential for the agricultural sector, but it is still necessary to continue researching the mechanisms of AgNP action in order to optimize their application in each specific case.