Titanium dioxide nanoparticles alleviates polystyrene nanoplastics induced growth inhibition by modulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism via melatonin signaling in maize

Summary

Researchers found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can help protect maize plants from the growth-inhibiting effects of polystyrene nanoplastics. The protective mechanism works through the plant hormone melatonin, which regulates carbon and nitrogen metabolism when the nanoparticles are present. The study suggests that certain nanoparticles could potentially be used as agricultural tools to help crops cope with nanoplastic contamination in soil.