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How do nanoplastics hijack crop physiology: A review of uptake pathways and agricultural sustainability implications
Summary
This research review summarizes how tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics can get inside crop plants through their roots and leaves, potentially harming how plants grow and produce food. These ultra-small plastic pieces interfere with how plants absorb nutrients and respond to stress, which could threaten our food supply. Since we eat these crops, understanding how nanoplastics affect plant health is important for protecting both agriculture and human health.
The extensive use and improper disposal of plastics have led to the accumulation of plastic debris in terrestrial ecosystems, where plastics gradually degrade into microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). While MPs are pervasive contaminants, NPs present greater agricultural risks due to their ultra-small size, high surface area, and colloidal stability, which enable them to enter plant tissues and threaten plant health and crop productivity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding NP uptake, translocation, and physiological impacts on crops, and to evaluate key tracking technologies. We highlight that NPs' behavior in plants is influenced by particle properties, cultivation systems, and plant traits. Fluorescence imaging and isotope labeling are effective for tracking NPs in plant systems. NPs enter plants primarily through root and foliar pathways, interfering with nutrient acquisition, hormone signaling, and oxidative stress responses, thereby affecting plant growth and development. By synthesizing current knowledge on NP-plant interactions, this review provides a timely overview to guide future research toward understanding the environmental fate and ecological risks of NPs in agricultural systems, ultimately supporting the sustainable development of modern agriculture.