Nanoparticles in revolutionizing crop production and agriculture to address salinity stress challenges for a sustainable future

Abstract

Across the world, salinity is one of the most detrimental environmental stresses that severely reduces agricultural yield and productivity. More than 20% of the world's agricultural soils endure the adversity of salinity stress, and such saline-prone regions are constantly rising, due to human and natural activity. This review paper explores the promising role of nanoparticles (NPs) in mitigating the adverse effects of salinity stress on crops and offers insights into their potential applications in sustainable agriculture. Salinity stress, primarily caused by soil salinization, disrupts plant growth and development, leading to reduced crop yields and quality. NPs, with their unique physicochemical properties and nanoscale dimensions, have demonstrated remarkable potential in ameliorating the effects of salinity stress. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the various types of NPs, including metallic, metal oxide, and carbon-based NPs, and their effects on plant hormone signalling networks (auxin, giberellins, abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA), and applications in enhancing salt tolerance in diverse crop species. This review article examines the physiochemical, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of plants by which NPs alleviate salinity stress, encompassing ion homeostasis, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant defence systems. Moreover, this paper critically evaluates the toxic effects of NPs in plants and outlines the challenges and concerns associated with their widespread adoption. By understanding the potential benefits and limitations of NP applications, we can pave the way for sustainable agriculture practices that improve crop resilience, mitigate soil salinization, and contribute to global food security in an era of increasing environmental stressors.