Toxicity and transport of nanoparticles in agriculture: effects of size, coating, and aging

The increasing application of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in agriculture for enhanced crop production and protection has raised significant concerns about their environmental fate and potential toxicity. This review examines how particle size, surface coating, and aging influence the transport and toxicity of nanoparticles in agricultural ecosystems. Smaller nanoparticles exhibit greater mobility and reactivity, often leading to increased plant uptake and potential phytotoxic effects, including reduced germination, root inhibition, and oxidative stress. Surface coatings, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or natural organic matter, play a crucial role in modulating nanoparticle behavior by stabilizing…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Agriculture

  Award: GR100153
• NI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture