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Breaching the Root Barrier: Uptake Pathways, Rhizosphere Microenvironment Regulation, and Physiological Metabolic Responses of Rice to Nanomaterials
Summary
This review pulls together existing research on how tiny plastic particles and engineered nanoparticles in soil get absorbed by rice plants through their roots — a concerning entry point since rice is a dietary staple for billions of people. The findings show these particles act like a "Trojan horse," potentially carrying heavy metals and other contaminants into the rice grains we eat, while some engineered nanoparticles could actually help protect plants if designed carefully. The takeaway: as plastic pollution and nanotechnology use grow, more research is needed to understand what's actually ending up on our plates and how to keep it safe.
The rapid advancement of nanotechnology, coupled with the exacerbation of plastic pollution, has positioned the continuous accumulation of nanoparticles (NPs) and micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) in agricultural soils as a critical global concern. As one of the world's primary staple crops, the root system of rice (Oryza sativa L.) serves as the initial line of defense and response against nano-pollutants. The multidimensional interaction mechanisms of NPs within complex soil-rice systems, however, remain insufficiently elucidated. This review comprehensively synthesizes the interfacial interactions between NPs and rice roots, their uptake and translocation pathways, and the dual biological effects they induce. The assimilation and systemic translocation of NPs are dynamically governed by particle physicochemical traits (e.g., size, surface charge, and coating chemistry) and rice-specific rhizosphere modulators, notably the iron plaque and root exudates. It is particularly noteworthy that NPs exhibit a pronounced "double-edged sword" effect on rice: rationally designed nano-agrochemicals can function as elicitors to activate plant defense systems and effectively immobilize heavy metals. Conversely, emerging nanoplastics induce severe oxidative stress and metabolic disruption. Furthermore, these particles act as potent vectors, utilizing a "Trojan horse" mechanism to facilitate the co-transport of heavy metals and agrochemicals, thereby breaching root barriers and exacerbating dietary exposure risks. To systematically bridge existing knowledge gaps, we propose a comprehensive research roadmap emphasizing realistic field exposures, soil-rice-microbiome coupling, combined pollution dynamics, in planta quantification, and grain bioaccessibility assessments. This holistic paradigm ultimately provides robust scientific substantiation for the risk assessment of nano-pollutants and the promotion of sustainable nano-agriculture.