Smart Nanosensors for Assessing Nanoparticle Interactions in Crops: A Review
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 4 (December 2025) pp. 185-191
Abstract
Growing use of nanotechnology in agriculture has sparked concerns about the intricate relationships between crop systems and nanoparticles (NPs). Engineered nanoparticles such as carbon-based compounds, silver, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide can enhance stress tolerance, insect resistance, and nutrient delivery. However, little is known about their unforeseen consequences for plant physiology and food safety. Conventional techniques for monitoring NP behavior are frequently damaging, time-consuming, and inappropriate for real-time observation. Cutting-edge nanosensors offer a revolutionary alternative. They enable precise measurement of NP uptake, transport, accumulation, and associated metabolic reactions in plants by integrating advanced sensing mechanisms with wireless and data-driven technologies. These sensors employ highly sensitive and selective optical, electrochemical, and biosensing platforms. For example, electrochemical nanosensors have been employed to identify the advantages and disadvantages of silver NP accumulation in spinach leaves. Their versatility across wearable, IoT-enabled, and field-deployable formats makes them useful for tracking and monitoring the health of plants exposed to NP. This paper examines the fundamentals, applications, and most recent developments in agricultural nanosensors, emphasizing their use in assessing the risks and advantages of nanoparticles. Environmental safety, cost-effectiveness, and sensor stability are currently the key challenges. Future developments will be guided by sustainability, AI integration, and multifunctional sensing. Nanosensors are a significant advancement in precision agriculture and well-informed risk assessment in the age of nano-enabled food production.
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Reference
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