Nanoparticle Interaction with Plants
This chapter gives information on nanoparticle interaction with plants. While a large number of researches show that many nanoparticles are toxic to humans and are associated with a gamut of diseases, the research on plant interaction with nanoparticles is relatively new. Due to the lack of regulations regarding the use of nanoparticles, many nanoparticles are being researched and patented for the use in agriculture due to specific beneficial aspects for some plants or due to their antimicrobial activity. Up to date studies found that nanoparticles can have positive, negative, or insignificant effects on plants. Nanoparticles have been found to alter the roots and leaves of plants, influence seed germination, and induce genetic alterations. Nanoparticle bioaccumulation in plants is species specific and depends on the nanoparticle physicochemical properties, such as size, crystalline structure, and charge. While some studies report beneficial effects on some plant species, in some occasions, the overall negative effect of the accumulation of these nanoparticles in the soil and plants might exceed the minor beneficial temporary effects. Many nanoparticles are translocated within plants and are likely to enter the food chain and become available in food for humans and animals. Before the approval of nanomaterial enabled patents and the use of nanoparticles in agriculture, one should assess the risk and implications of nanoparticles in crops for food safety and trophic transfer. Many nanoparticles are already shown to be toxic to humans, and uptake of nanoparticles in plants poses major safety concerns.