Nanoparticle-specific transformations dictate nanoparticle effects associated with plants and implications for nanotechnology use in agriculture

Nanotechnology shows potential to promote sustainable and productive agriculture and address the growing population and food demand worldwide. However, the applications of nanotechnology are hindered by the lack of knowledge on nanoparticle (NP) transformations and the interactions between NPs and macromolecules within crops. In this Review, we discuss the beneficial and toxicity-relieving transformation products of NPs that provide agricultural benefits and the toxic and physiology-disturbing transformations that induce phytotoxicities. Based on knowledge related to the management of NP transformations and their long-term effects, we propose feasible design suggestions to attain nano-enabled efficient and sustainable agricultural applications. Transformation of nanoparticles (NPs) after their application can form toxic or beneficial transformation products, which affects phytophysiology. Here, the authors review NP transformations both inside plants and at root and leaf interfaces, and the changes of nano-effects in crop systems.