Nanomaterials in agricultural soils: Ecotoxicity and application

Engineered nanomaterials (NMs) at appropriate doses have demonstrated positive roles in defending against and alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses in agricultural environments. In comparison with conventional forms, the unique physicochemical properties of NMs more effectively trigger defense systems in stressed crops and subsequently strengthen plant immunity and growth. Importantly, the use of nanoscale agrichemicals could significantly reduce the overall application rates to the field and minimize the secondary contamination caused by traditional agrichemicals. Additionally, NMs, as novel amendments, can also efficiently remediate heavy metals and emerging organic pollutants in soil by increasing pollutant immobilization, accelerating degradation, and regulating crop physiology and rhizosphere microbial community to improve crop immune responses. It is highly likely that nano-enabled strategies will become a critical and sustainable tool to improve crop resilience to climate change-caused stresses. Future investigation on the use of novel NMs in precision agriculture is highly encouraged.