Plant Nano Biology最新文献

{"title":"Selenium nanoparticles and nanocomposites in sustainable agriculture: Synthesis, stress alleviation mechanisms, and soil health impacts","authors":"R. Sowmya ,&nbsp;S. Karthick Raja Namasivayam ,&nbsp;Krithika Shree Sivasuriyan ,&nbsp;Amrish Varshan. G. S ,&nbsp;K. Samrat","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and selenium-based nanocomposite (SeNCs) have emerged as a promising tool in modern agriculture, due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics and potent biological activities. This review examines their synthesis, characterization, potential applications in enhancing agricultural productivity, with a focus on their biostimulant, antioxidant, and stress-alleviating properties. SeNPs contribute to improved plant growth and seed germination by modulating plant hormone signalling pathways such as auxin, gibberellin, and abscisic acid. Their ability to improve growth and stress resilience has been demonstrated by molecular docking studies, which show their strong and stable interactions with these hormones. Additionally, SeNPs enhance plant defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses by activating antioxidant systems, thereby reducing oxidative damage from pathogenic sources and environmental factors. Chitosan- based SeNCs, exhibit high biocompatibility and effectively reduce soil toxicity while maintaining essential soil microbial enzyme activities. The review highlights the significant potential of SeNPs and SeNCs to advance sustainable agriculture by enhancing crop performance, stress tolerance, and soil quality. These findings underscore the broader relevance of selenium nanotechnology in addressing global food security challenges and promoting environmentally responsible farming practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100240"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145938343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing the shelf-life of strawberry using chitosan-based edible coating of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil nanoemulsion","authors":"Monisha Soni ,&nbsp;Kishor Kumar Paul ,&nbsp;Mansi Yadav ,&nbsp;Priyanka Agnihotri ,&nbsp;Priyanka Tiwari ,&nbsp;Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fungal rotting of strawberries is a major challenge during storage often tackled with the use of synthetic preservatives, which leads to resistance development in pathogens and additional residual toxicity. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan-based edible coating infused with <em>Ocimum gratissimum</em> L. essential oil (OGEO) against fungal proliferation and extending the shelf-life of strawberries stored at 26 ± 2 ºC for 8 days. OGEO was chemically characterized by methyl cinnamate (27.55 %) and linalool (23.53 %) as the major constituents. The chitosan nanoemulsion containing OGEO (OGNe) was characterized through SEM, AFM, FTIR, and XRD analysis, which revealed the successful encapsulation of OGEO into OGNe with nanometric dimension and spherical morphology. OGNe also showed controlled release of OGEO. A significant antifungal activity of OGNe against <em>Aspergillus flavus</em>, <em>Aspergillus humicola</em>, <em>Alternaria tenuissima</em>, <em>Neopestalotiopsis rosae</em>, and <em>Botrytis cinerea</em> was observed with MICs recorded as 0.25, 0.05, 0.05, 0.05, and 0.1 μL/mL, respectively. The OGNe coating was effective in reducing weight loss (49.72 %) and maintaining the pH, total soluble solids, titrable acidity, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of strawberries over 8 days of storage at 26 ± 2 ºC. Moreover, the OGNe coating was highly efficient in reducing the decay incidence in strawberries and the fruits treated with OGNe coating retained good sensory scores at the end of storage. The above findings suggest that the OGNe coating could act as a novel, plant-based, and biocompatible solution to prevent fungi-mediated post-harvest loss and to enhance the shelf-life of strawberries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100238"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145938468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effects of melatonin and zinc oxide nanoparticles on oxidative stress mitigation, nutrient accumulation, and secondary metabolite enhancement in Cannabis sativa L","authors":"Hakimeh Oloumi ,&nbsp;Leila Malekpourzadeh,&nbsp;Zakiyeh Poursheikhali","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100233","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100233","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The synergistic interaction between melatonin and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) represents a promising approach to enhancing plant performance under physiological stress. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of melatonin and ZnO-NPs on growth, physiological attributes, oxidative stress mitigation, nutrient uptake, and secondary metabolite production in <em>Cannabis sativa</em> L. Plants were treated with melatonin and ZnO-NPs (5 and 10 ppm) under controlled greenhouse conditions, and responses were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test to compare treatment means. Significant interaction effects between melatonin and ZnO-NPs were detected for most parameters. The co-application of melatonin and 10 ppm ZnO-NPs produced the greatest improvements in shoot and root biomass, relative water content, membrane stability, and photosynthetic pigments. Combined treatments markedly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating enhanced oxidative stress tolerance. ZnO-NPs promoted nutrient accumulation (Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn), while melatonin contributed to improved nitrogen metabolism. The joint application further elevated secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, cannabidiol (CBD), and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These findings demonstrate that melatonin and ZnO-NPs act synergistically to optimize growth, strengthen antioxidant defense, and enhance bioactive metabolite synthesis in hemp, offering potential strategies for sustainable improvement of high-value crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100233"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomass-derived coriander carbon quantum dots for oxidative stress mitigation and nanoscale imaging in plants","authors":"Mahima Kumar ,&nbsp;Binod Babu Shrestha ,&nbsp;Shanmugavel Chinnathambi ,&nbsp;Takahiro Fujiwara ,&nbsp;Easan Sivaniah ,&nbsp;Ganesh N. Pandian","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biomass-derived nanomaterials have attracted attention as sustainable, biocompatible platforms for cross-kingdom applications in biology and agriculture. Among them, carbon quantum dots represent a promising class of nanomaterials with low toxicity and the ability to serve as fluorescent probes, biosensors, and theranostic agents. Here, we report a facile one-pot solvothermal method for synthesizing coriander-based carbon quantum dots (CCDs) from the bioactive ethyl acetate fraction of coriander seeds (<em>Coriandrum sativum</em> L.) without the addition of surface passivating agents. Structural characterization via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed their surface functionalities, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirmed the formation of uniform nanoparticles (&lt;5 nm). The resulting biomass-derived CCDs exhibited a quantum yield of ∼25 %, durable fluorescence, high aqueous stability, and negligible cytotoxicity. We first validated the CCDs using <em>in vitro</em> cellular models and demonstrated that they are efficiently internalized by senescent human chondrocytes, with selective accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Confocal imaging and functional assays demonstrated their ability to mitigate oxidative stress, decrease reactive oxygen species, and restore ER network structures disrupted by senescence. Treatment also upregulated collagen type I expression, indicating a rejuvenative effect on stressed cells. Furthermore, we evaluated their potential as nanoscale imaging probes using Japanese brown rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) grains as a model. Fluorescence imaging verified the absorption and distribution of CCDs within rice tissues, underscoring their utility as in situ probes for monitoring plant physiology. Our proof-of-concept study validates coriander-derived CCDs as versatile nanomaterials with cross-kingdom functionality, offering potential in both cellular rejuvenation and agricultural nanobiotechnology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100236"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From soil to shoot plant responses to polystyrene nanoplastics and relevance for sustainable food systems","authors":"Benedetta Pizziconi ,&nbsp;Giuliana Bruno ,&nbsp;Samuela Palombieri ,&nbsp;Francesco Sestili ,&nbsp;Sara Cimini ,&nbsp;Laura De Gara","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Within the One Health framework, plants represent a critical interface between environmental contaminants and the food web. Among emerging pollutants, polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are particularly concerning due to their small size, high surface reactivity, and ability to cross biological barriers. PS-NPs can be potentially internalized through roots or leaves, translocated to other organs, and, in some cases, accumulated in edible tissues, posing risks to food safety and human health. This review explores PS-NPs behavior in plants, focusing on uptake mechanisms, translocation pathways, accumulation sites, and physiological and molecular responses in different plant species, both model and crops. While wheat shows tolerance even at high PS-NPs concentrations, species like rice, lettuce, and garlic exhibit growth inhibition, oxidative stress, nutrient imbalances, and genotoxic effects. Transcriptomic studies confirm that PS-NPs alter gene expression linked to redox homeostasis, hormone signaling, and stress responses, though the specific pathways affected differ across species and conditions. Overall, plant species and PS-NPs concentration emerge as key factors determining phytotoxic outcomes. The detection of PS-NPs in edible plant parts highlights a tangible risk for humans. Standardized analytical methods, realistic scenarios, and the identification of molecular markers of tolerance are urgently needed to better assess and mitigate the impact of PS-NPs on agriculture and food safety within the One Health perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100230"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green nanomaterials from Senna (Cassia angustifolia): Phytochemical assisted fabrication of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles","authors":"Harini P.,&nbsp;Utpal Das","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Cassia angustifolia</em> is a medicinal plant with a rich composition of anthraquinones, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds that have gained widespread attention for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Its phytochemical constituents act as natural reducing and capping agents, enabling the eco-friendly fabrication of diverse metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and cerium oxide (CeO₂). This review comprehensively explores the synthesis mechanisms, reaction parameters, and characterization techniques of <em>Cassia angustifolia</em>-mediated nanoparticles, with emphasis on how the phytochemical composition controls nanoparticle morphology, stability, and functionality. Particular focus is given to the reported antimicrobial and catalytic activities, along with a critical evaluation of analytical methods employed for their bioactivity assessment. Moreover, the review points out the current challenges in scaling up green synthesis, stability optimization, and the mechanistic elucidation of plant-metal interactions. By integrating recent progress and knowledge gaps, this article gives an insightful perspective into <em>Cassia angustifolia</em>-based nanomaterials as emerging tools for sustainable nanotechnology and agricultural applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100234"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supplementation with Fe3O4 and ZnO nanoparticles as a strategy for agronomic bioenrichment of lettuce and cucumber","authors":"Sánchez-Portillo Steffanny ,&nbsp;Juárez-Maldonado Antonio ,&nbsp;Benavides-Mendoza Adalberto ,&nbsp;Rodríguez-Herrera Raúl ,&nbsp;Martínez-Hernández Ginés Benito ,&nbsp;Pérez-Labrada Fabián","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) play a crucial role in the development of both plants and humans. In plants, the uptake and translocation of these elements to commercially important tissues depends on the application method, route, and concentration used. Therefore, supplementation with these two elements is not standardized. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different Fe and Zn sources (ionic and nanometric) to determine the optimal application route and determine the appropriate concentration that promotes Fe and Zn bioaccumulation without inducing plant toxicity. Ionic sources of Fe and Zn (FeSO₄·4 H₂O and ZnSO₄·7 H₂O, respectively), and nanoparticles (NPs) of ZnO (50 and 250 ppm) and Fe₃O₄ (100 and 500 ppm) were applied via drenching and foliar application on lettuce and cucumber plants grown in greenhouse. Dry biomass, biochemical variables, stress indicators and Fe and Zn accumulation were quantified in leaf tissue. In cucumbers, chlorophylls, β-carotene, and yellow pigments responded favorably (p &lt; 0.01) to drenching with of 100 ppm Fe₃O₄ NPs. The same treatment but via foliar application significantly increased βCA activity and decreased proline, H₂O₂, and MDA content by 15.2 %. In contrast, vitamin C increased (p &lt; 0.05) with ionic forms via drenching; however, in lettuce it increased with NPs via foliar application (p &lt; 0.05). Lettuce plants, treated with Fe₃O₄ NPs (500 ppm) via drenching increased chlorophyll and β-carotene content (p &lt; 0.05). ZnO and Fe₃O₄ NPs reduced H₂O₂ content by 38 % and MDA by 35 %, respectively, while promoting proline by 14 %. RuBisCO increased with 250 ppm of ZnO NPs applied via foliar application in both crops, with the greatest increase documented in cucumber (50 %). No differences were observed in Fe and Zn accumulation. However, 100 ppm of Fe₃O₄ NPs via drenching increased Fe content by 80 %, and 250 ppm of ZnO NPs via foliar application increased Zn content by 26 %, compared to the control. For lettuce, high doses of Fe₃O₄ NPs and ZnO NPs via foliar application increased Fe and Zn content by 26 % and 45 %, respectively. The foliar-applied NPs showed the greatest accumulation, without inducing toxicity. Therefore, they are a potential tool for agronomic bioenrichment of lettuce and cucumber.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon nanofertilizers in agriculture: A critical review of soil ecosystem impacts and phytotoxicity","authors":"Rabia Javed ,&nbsp;Zia-ul Islam ,&nbsp;Ayesha Rathnayake ,&nbsp;Omaththage Adithya Dananjaya Padmaperuma ,&nbsp;Uzma Sharafat ,&nbsp;Rhea Amor Lumactud ,&nbsp;Lord Abbey ,&nbsp;Raymond Thomas ,&nbsp;Lakshman Galagedara ,&nbsp;Mumtaz Cheema","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid growth in global population has placed immense pressure on food production systems. As a result, the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in modern farming has severely reduced soil fertility and disrupted critical ecosystem functions and equilibria. There have been significant leaching and runoff losses of key mineral elements in the environment due to synthetic fertilizer application, resulting in a substantial reduction in nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in different cropping systems. Nanofertilizers (NFs) have been considered more effective and economical than synthetic fertilizers because their nanostructure regulates the delivery of nutrients and enhances plant absorption due to a high surface area to volume ratio. Different types of carbon-based nanoparticles (CNPs), such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanodots (CDs), and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), have been synthesized from various biological sources acting as carbon nanofertilizers (CNFs). These CNPs stimulate soil microbial and enzymatic activities, promote organic matter decomposition, enhance carbon sequestration, and improve water retention, mainly through enhanced nutrient accessibility, aggregation with soil organic matter, and a high-surface-area matrix for microbial habitat and proliferation. Although CNFs exhibit considerable potential, several critical challenges remain, including high production costs, limited knowledge of their long-term environmental behavior, and the requirement for well-defined concentration thresholds tailored to specific soil–crop systems. This review outlines the benefits, potential drawbacks, and key challenges of CNFs for plants and soil health that must be addressed to harness their full potential as plant growth stimulants and soil quality boosters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100231"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chitosan nanoparticles as elicitors of phenolic compounds in cell cultures of Dracocephalum polychaetum Boiss.: A dose-dependent in vitro study","authors":"Marzieh Taghizadeh ,&nbsp;Zeinab Khosravi Khouzani ,&nbsp;Zeynab Yousefian","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100229","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) are considered promising elicitors for enhancing secondary metabolite production under <em>in vitro</em> conditions. In the present study, CNPs were applied at different concentrations (0, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 ppm) to cell suspension cultures of <em>Dracocephalum polychaetum</em> Boiss. to assess physiological changes and secondary metabolite responses. Notably, treatments with 10 and 25 ppm CNPs significantly enhanced the accumulation of phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acid (up to 13.25 µg g⁻¹ FW), catechin (up to 247.45 µg g⁻¹ FW), and quercetin (up to 1837.28 µg g⁻¹ FW). In contrast, higher concentrations of CNPs led to significant increases in MDA and H₂O₂ levels. Correlation analysis indicated that MDA content was negatively correlated with most measured parameters. A strong negative association was observed between oxidative biomarkers and phytochemical compounds, whereas specialized metabolites showed positive interrelations among themselves. Overall, the results demonstrated that low to moderate doses of CNPs effectively activated the phenylpropanoid pathway, leading to enhanced accumulation of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in <em>D. polychaetum</em> without causing cellular damage. This study represents a promising biocompatible elicitor for controlled metabolite production under <em>in vitro</em> conditions and may provide a strategy for metabolite production in valuable medicinal plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100229"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145747894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green-synthesized bimetallic Zinc Ferrite (franklinite) nanoparticles prevent drought-induced growth reduction and oxidative stress in Sorghum bicolor through improved nutrient content and the antioxidant defense","authors":"Nzumbululo Ndou ,&nbsp;Pfunzo Gavhi ,&nbsp;Mulisa Nkuna ,&nbsp;Vivian Ikebudu ,&nbsp;Andrew Faro ,&nbsp;Rachel Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi ,&nbsp;Takalani Mulaudzi","doi":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plana.2025.100227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Sorghum bicolor</em> (L.) Moench is a cereal crop renowned for its ability to moderately tolerate drought stress, however prolonged and severe droughts can affect its growth and yield. This study reports on the dual role of green-synthesized bimetallic Zinc-Iron Oxide (ZnFe₂O₄ NPs) nanoparticles (NPs), which are to enhance sorghum growth and mitigate oxidative damage under drought stress. The 34 nm ZnFe₂O₄ NPs synthesized from rooibos, were confirmed by an absorbance peak at 296 nm, a Fourier-Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy peak at 547 cm⁻¹, and characterized by a crystallized face-centered-franklinite nature. Sorghum seedlings germinated from seeds primed with different ZnFe₂O₄ NPs concentrations of 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 15 mg/L, were established for 14 days, followed by withholding water for 7 days to induce drought stress. Drought led to a decrease in shoot length (SL), fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and total chlorophyll (Chlt) content by 43.6 %, 58.0 %, 63.9 % and 45.0 % respectively. These decreases correlated with the alteration of vascular bundle tissues causing nutrient imbalances, overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation thus inducing oxidative damage in sorghum seedlings. However, priming with NPs particularly, 15 mg/L ZnFe₂O₄ NPs, increased SL (138 %), FW (251.23 %), DW (251 %), and Chlt (104 %), and effectively reduced oxidative stress, through the improved antioxidant activity. The results suggest that ZnFe₂O₄ NPs can be employed as a strategy to prevent the harmful effects of drought stress, while improving crop growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101029,"journal":{"name":"Plant Nano Biology","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100227"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}