Nanotechnology Is the Potential Cause of Phytotoxicity

Abstract

Nanoparticles due to its unique properties are a serious threat to the environment and health. Nanotechnology is an emerging industry with the use of nanoparticles in more than 800 products and this demand is expected to increase in the next few years. Usage of nano-technological products has spread nanoparticles into the environment during its manufacture, usage or disposal through water, air, and soil. The unintentional spread of nanoparticles have accelerated a robust debate among the scientific community and have drawn attention towards the potential impact of nanotoxicity in the environment. The physiochemical properties and reactivity of nanoparticles differ not only between nanoparticle with different chemical composition but also among identical nanoparticles with different shape, size, surface properties, and crystalline structure. Phytotoxicity occurs as nanoparticles are uptaken, translocated, or localized in a plant. Consequently, affecting germination rate, physiological processes that disrupt cell integrity at the molecular level and causes detrimental effects on plant growth and development of various crops. This toxicity produces Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that causes DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. However, these free radicals are actively scavenged by antioxidant enzymes to repair the damage and help the plant to withstand the stress. However, the continuous increase of nanoparticles can permanently damage the plant thereby reducing its ability to withstand. Therefore, cost-effective strategies are required to overcome the risk of nanoparticles.