Discover the role of nanotechnology in promoting plant growth and protection through the management of microbial pathogens  In Nanotechnology in Plant Growth Promotion and Protection, distinguished researcher and author Dr. Avinash P. Ingle delivers a rigorous and insightful collection of some of the latest developments in nanotechnology particularly related to plant growth promotion and protection. The book focuses broadly on the role played by nanotechnology in growth promotion of plants and their protection through the management of different microbial pathogens.  You’ll learn about a wide variety of topics, including the role of nanomaterials in sustainable agriculture, how nano-fertilizers behave as soil feed, and the dual role of nanoparticles in plant growth promotion and phytopathogen management. You’ll also discover why nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the current agricultural landscape through the development of nano-based products, like plant growth promoters, nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, and nano-insecticides.  Find out why nano-based products promise to be a cost-effective, economically viable, and eco-friendly approach to tackling some of the most intractable problems in agriculture today.  You’ll also benefit from the inclusion of:  A thorough introduction to the prospects and impacts of using nanotechnology to promote the growth of plants and control plant diseases  An exploration of the effects of titanium dioxide nanomaterials on plant growth and the emerging applications of zinc-based nanoparticles in plant growth promotion  Practical discussions of nano-fertilizer in enhancing the production potentials of crops and the potential applications of nanotechnology in plant nutrition and protection for sustainable agriculture  A concise treatment of nanotechnology in seed science and soil feed  Toxicological concerns of nanomaterials used in agriculture  Perfect for undergraduate, graduate, and research students of nanotechnology, agriculture, plant science, plant physiology, and crops, Nanotechnology in Plant Growth Promotion and Protection will also earn a place in the libraries of professors and researchers in these areas, as well as regulators and policymakers. 

Table of Contents:
List of Contributors xii Preface xvi 1 Nanotechnology as a Smart Way to Promote the Growth of Plants and Control Plant Diseases: Prospects and Impacts 1 Heba Mahmoud Mohammad Abdel-Aziz and Mohammed Nagib Abdel-ghany Hasaneen 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Nanofertilizers 2 1.2.1 Methods for Application of Nanofertilizers 2 1.2.1.1 Seed Priming 2 1.2.1.2 In Soil 2 1.2.1.3 Foliar Application 3 1.2.2 Possible Ways for Uptake and Translocation of Nanofertilizers in Plants 3 1.2.3 Macronutrient Nanofertilizers 3 1.2.4 Micronutrient Nanofertilizers 5 1.2.5 Non-nutrient Nanofertilizers 6 1.2.6 Advantages of Nanofertilizers 6 1.2.7 Limitations of Nanofertilizers 7 1.3 Nanopesticides and Nanoantimicrobials 7 1.3.1 Nano-Insecticides 8 1.3.2 Nanobactericides 8 1.3.3 Nanofungicides 8 1.3.4 Nano-Antivirals 9 1.3.5 Advantages of Using Nanopesticides 9 1.3.6 Risks of Using Nano-based Agrochemicals 9 1.4 Conclusions 10 References 11 2 Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials on Plants Growth 17 Martin Šebesta, Illa Ramakanth, Ondrej Zverina, Martin Šeda, Pavel Diviš, and Marek Kolencík 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 Properties of TiO2NPs Important for Biological Interaction 18 2.3 Pathways and Interaction of TiO2NPs with Plants 20 2.3.1 Foliar Exposure 20 2.3.2 Root Exposure 21 2.3.3 Seed Exposure 22 2.3.4 Interaction of TiO2NPs with Plants 22 2.4 Effect of Different Concentrations of TiO2 NPs on Plants 23 2.5 Benefits of Using TiO2NPs Alone and in Complex Formulations on Plant Growth and Yield 31 2.6 Conclusion and Future Perspective 35 References 37 3 The Emerging Applications of Zinc-Based Nanoparticles in Plant Growth Promotion 45 Anil Timilsina and Hao Chen 3.1 Introduction 45 3.2 Applications and Effects of Zn Based NPs on Plant Growth Promotion 46 3.2.1 Zn NPs in Seed Treatments and Its Effects 46 3.2.2 Effects of Zn NPs on Seed Germination 46 3.2.3 Effects of Seed Treatment on Plant Growth 50 3.2.4 Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Effects of Zn NPs on Seed 50 3.3 ZnO NPs in Enhanced Plant Growth 50 3.3.1 Application Methods 51 3.3.2 Effects of Zn NPs on Plant Growth Promotion 51 3.3.2.1 Effects of Zn NPs Via Foliar Application 51 3.3.2.2 Effects of Zn NPs Used in Agar Media and Hydroponic Application 55 3.3.2.3 Effects Zn NPs Through Soil Application 55 3.3.2.4 Effects of Zn NPs on Plant Physiological and Biochemical Changes 56 3.4 Zn NPs in Crop Protection 56 3.4.1 Improvement on Disease Resistance 56 3.4.2 Enhancement of Stress Tolerance 57 3.5 Conclusions 57 References 58 4 Nanofertilizer in Enhancing the Production Potentials of Crops 63 C. Sharmila Rahale, K.S. Subramanian, and A. Lakshmanan 4.1 Introduction 63 4.2 Nanofertilizers 64 4.3 Synthesis of Nanofertilizer 64 4.4 Uptake, Translocation, and Fate of Nanofertilizers in Plants 66 4.5 Percolation Studies to Assess Nutrient Release Pattern 67 4.6 Application of Nanofertilizers in Plants 68 4.7 Specific Properties of Nanofertilizers 70 4.8 Biosafety Issues in Nanofertilizer Application 70 4.9 Nanofertilizer Studies at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) 71 4.10 Conclusion 74 References 75 5 Potential Applications of Nanobiotechnology in Plant Nutrition and Protection for Sustainable Agriculture 79 Vishnu D. Rajput, Abhishek Singh, Tatiana M. Minkina, Sudhir S. Shende, Pradeep Kumar, Krishan K. Verma, Tatiana Bauer, Olga Gorobtsova, Svetlana Deneva, and Anna Sindireva 5.1 Introduction 79 5.2 Nanomaterial in Sustainable Crop Production 81 5.2.1 Nanomaterial in Soil Management 81 5.2.2 Nanomaterials in Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) 82 5.2.3 Nanomaterials in Plant Protection 82 5.2.3.1 Nanomaterials as Nano-Pesticides 83 5.2.3.2 Nanomaterials as Nano-Insecticides 83 5.2.3.3 Nanomaterials as Nano-Fungicides 84 5.2.3.4 Nanomaterials as Nano-Herbicides 84 5.3 Nanomaterials in Crop Improvement 85 5.3.1 Abiotic Stresses 85 5.3.1.1 Drought Stress 86 5.3.1.2 Salinity Stress 86 5.4 Nanomaterials in Plant Genetic Engineering 87 5.4.1 Nanoparticle’s Mediated Transformation 87 5.4.2 Non-vector Mediated Transformation 87 5.5 Future Perspectives and Challenges 88 5.6 Conclusions 89 References 89 6 Immunity in Early Life: Nanotechnology in Seed Science and Soil Feed 93 Garima Shandilya and Kirtan Tarwadi 6.1 Introduction 93 6.2 Nano Frontiers in Agricultural Development 94 6.2.1 Nanoagronomics 94 6.2.2 Smart Systems for Agrochemicals Delivery 94 6.2.2.1 Nanocapsules 94 6.2.2.2 Liposomes 96 6.2.2.3 Nanoemulsions 96 6.2.2.4 Nanogels 96 6.2.2.5 Nanoclays 97 6.2.2.6 Nanodispersions 97 6.2.2.7 Nanobionics 97 6.3 Nanotechnology in Agriculture 99 6.3.1 Effects of Nanoparticles on Plants 99 6.3.2 Nanoparticle-Plant Hormones Interactions 99 6.3.3 Effect of Nanoparticles on Crop Quality 100 6.4 Immunity in Early Life 101 6.4.1 Seed 101 6.4.2 Pre-sowing Treatments and Priming as Tools for Better Seed Germination 102 6.4.3 Phenomenon of Seed Priming 102 6.4.4 Gene Therapy for Seed 103 6.4.5 Immuning Seeds Using Nanoparticles 104 6.5 Nanotechnology in Soil Feed and Waste Water Treatment 104 6.6 Conclusions 106 References 107 7 Effects of Natural Organic Matter on Bioavailability of Elements from Inorganic Nanomaterial 113 Martin Urík, Marek Kolencík, Nobuhide Fujitake, Pavel Diviš, Ondrej Zverina, Illa Ramakanth, and Martin Šeda 7.1 Introduction 113 7.2 Effect of Natural Organic Matter on Nanoparticles’ Aggregation and Agglomeration 114 7.3 Natural Organic Matter Effects on Nanoparticles’ Dissolution 116 7.4 Effect of Mutual Interactions of Natural Organic Matter and Nanoparticles on Their Bioavailability 117 7.5 Conclusions 120 References 120 8 Induction of Stress Tolerance in Crops by Applying Nanomaterials 129 Yolanda González-García, Magín González-Moscoso, Hipólito Hernández-Hernández, Alonso Méndez-López, and Antonio Juárez-Maldonado 8.1 Introduction 129 8.2 Impact of Stress on Crops 130 8.2.1 Losses of Crops Due to the Main Stress Conditions 130 8.2.2 Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress 133 8.2.3 Plant Responses to Biotic Stress 135 8.3 Impact of Nanomaterials on Crops 137 8.3.1 Induction of Tolerance to Abiotic Stress by the Application of Nanomaterials 138 8.3.2 Induction of Tolerance to Biotic Stress by the Application of Nanomaterials 146 8.4 Conclusions 151 References 151 9 Nanoparticles as Elicitors of Biologically Active Ingredients in Plants 170 Sumaira Anjum, Amna Komal, Bilal Haider Abbasi, and Christophe Hano 9.1 Introduction 170 9.2 Routes of Exposure, Uptake, and Interaction of NPs into Plant Cells 172 9.3 Elicitation of BAIs of Plants by Nanoelicitors 175 9.3.1 Elicitation of Polyphenols by Nanoelicitors 175 9.3.2 Elicitation of Alkaloids by Nanoelicitors 184 9.3.3 Elicitation of Terpenoids by Nanoelicitors 186 9.3.4 Elicitation of Essential Oils by Nanoelicitors 189 9.4 Mechanism of Action of Nanoelicitors 191 9.5 Conclusions 191 References 193 10 Dual Role of Nanoparticles in Plant Growth and Phytopathogen Management 203 Tahsin Shoala 10.1 Introduction 203 10.2 Nanoparticles: Notion and Properties 206 10.3 Mode of Entry, Uptake, Translocation and Accumulation of Nanoparticles in Plant Tissues 207 10.4 Nanoparticle–Plant Interactions 208 10.5 Impact of Nanoparticles 209 10.5.1 Influence of Nanoparticles on Photosynthesis 209 10.5.2 Nanoparticles in Plant Growth 211 10.5.3 Nanoparticles in Enhancement of Root and Shoot Growth 212 10.5.4 Impact of Nanoparticles in Phytopathogen Suppression 213 10.6 Conclusions 214 References 215 11 Role of Metal-Based Nanoparticles in Plant Protection 220 Avinash P. Ingle and Indarchand Gupta 11.1 Introduction 220 11.2 Nanotechnology in Agriculture 221 11.3 Metal-Based Nanoparticles in Plant Protection 222 11.3.1 Silver-Based Nanoparticles 222 11.3.2 Copper-Based Nanoparticles 224 11.3.3 Zinc-Based Nanoparticles 225 11.3.4 Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles 226 11.3.5 Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles 227 11.3.6 Other Metal-Based Nanoparticles 228 11.4 Possible Antimicrobial Mechanisms for Metal-Based Nanoparticles 228 11.4.1 Cell Membrane Damage 229 11.4.2 ROS Generation 230 11.4.3 DNA Damage 230 11.5 Conclusions 230 References 231 12 Role of Zinc-Based Nanoparticles in the Management of Plant Diseases 239 Anita Tanwar 12.1 Introduction 239 12.2 Plant Diseases and Their Symptoms 241 12.3 Importance of Zn for Plants 242 12.4 Distribution of Zn in Plants 242 12.5 Efficiency of Zn in Plants 243 12.6 Deficiency Symptoms 243 12.7 Effects of Zn on Microbial Activity 245 12.8 Nanotechnology and Agriculture 246 12.9 Zn-Based Nanoparticles in Plants 247 12.9.1 ZnONPs 249 12.9.1.1 Antimicrobial Activity 250 12.9.1.2 Seed Germination and Plant Growth 251 12.9.1.3 Mechanism of Action of ZnONPs 252 12.10 Conclusions 253 References 253 13 Effects of Different Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 259 Harris Panakkal, Indarchand Gupta, Rahul Bhagat, and Avinash P. Ingle 13.1 Introduction 259 13.2 Effects of Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Development 261 13.2.1 Effect of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 262 13.2.2 Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 263 13.2.3 Effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 264 13.2.4 Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 264 13.2.5 Effect of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 266 13.2.6 Effect of Other Nanoparticles on Plant Growth 268 13.3 Mechanisms of Nanoparticles and Plant Interactions 269 13.4 Conclusions 271 References 271 14 Biostimulation and Toxicity: Two Levels of Action of Nanomaterials in Plants 283 Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza, Magín González-Moscoso, Dámaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios, and Laura Olivia Fuentes-Lara 14.1 Introduction 283 14.2 Induction of Biostimulation or Toxicity in Plants Due to the Physical Properties of the NMs 285 14.3 Induction of Biostimulation or Toxicity in Plants Due to the Chemical Properties of NM Core and the Composition of Corona 290 14.4 Examples of Biphasic Phenotypic Responses of Plants to Nanomaterials Concentration 294 14.5 Conclusions 298 References 299 15 Toxicological Concerns of Nanomaterials in Agriculture 304 Ryan Rienzie and Nadeesh Adassooriya 15.1 Introduction 304 15.2 Uptake and Translocation of Nanomaterials 305 15.3 Mechanisms and Factors Affecting Uptake and Translocation of Nanomaterials 305 15.4 Nature and Factors Affecting Nanomaterial Phytotoxicity 306 15.5 Non-Metallic Nanomaterials 307 15.5.1 Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) 307 15.5.1.1 Graphene Family Nanomaterials 308 15.5.1.2 Mesoporous Carbon Nanoparticles 308 15.5.1.3 Carbon Dots 308 15.5.2 Nanoclay-Based Systems 309 15.5.3 Nano-Hydroxyapatite (nHAP) 309 15.5.4 Nanoplastics 309 15.6 Metallic Nanoparticles 310 15.6.1 Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) 310 15.6.2 Mn-Based Nanoparticles 310 15.6.3 NiO Nanoparticles 311 15.6.4 ZnO Nanoparticles 311 15.6.5 TiO2 Nanoparticles 312 15.6.6 Au Nanoparticles 312 15.6.7 Cu-Based Nanoparticles 313 15.6.7.1 Cu Nanoparticles 313 15.6.7.2 CuO Nanoparticles 313 15.6.8 MgO Nanoparticles 314 15.6.9 CdS Nanoparticles 314 15.6.10 Fe-Based Nanoparticles 314 15.6.11 Al2O3 Nanoparticles 315 15.6.12 Rare Earth Element Nanoparticles 315 15.6.13 Multi-Metallic Nanoparticles 315 15.7 Alteration of Toxic Effects Caused by Nanomaterials; Co-Exposure Experiments 316 15.8 Effects of Nanomaterials on Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Defense Systems 318 15.9 Antioxidant-Mediated Removal of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) 318 15.10 Effects of Nanomaterials on Micro and Macro Organismal Communities Associated with Soil in Agroecosystems 319 15.10.1 Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) 319 15.10.2 Effects of Nanomaterials on Soil Dwelling Earthworms 320 15.10.3 Effects on Organisms Associated with Aquatic Ecosystems 321 15.11 Conclusions 321 References 322 Index 331